More rights for gays under the terms of the UK's new deal for the colonies were yesterday blasted by a leading churchman.

And AME pastor Rev. Leonard Santucci accused Government of "hypocrisy'' in appearing to accept the UK terms -- even though many Christians were against the abolition of hanging, flogging and further concessions to homosexuals.

Rev. Santucci said he took "great exception'' to Premier Jennifer Smith's view that there was "nothing threatening'' in the rewrite of relations.

He warned that Britain's wish to see its colonies adopt European standards on human rights -- including gay rights -- was a threat to Bermuda's "moral and social fabric''.

And he called for the issues raised in the White Paper to be put to an Island-wide vote.

Rev. Santucci said: "This particular document is considered to be a tremendous threat to the social and moral fibre of this community.

"It needs to be understood that the European Charter on Human Rights means greater rights and freedoms for the homosexual community and we need to be very clear and specific on how these rights and freedoms are to be legislated and implemented.'' And he said: "It's been argued that the church was instrumental in placing the PLP in Government.

"The same church which put them in is the same church which is going to judge them on their performance -- and the jury is being empanelled.'' Rev. Santucci, although an AME pastor at Pembroke's Heard Chapel, stressed he was not speaking as an official church spokesman -- but said that his views reflected those of many Christians.

He was tipped as a St. George's South candidate for the Opposition UBP in the last election, but never stood.

Rev. Santucci: "A significant number of black Members of the House of Assembly claim membership of the AME, but their views in that House don't bear any relation to the position of the AME church.

"We've moved from boardroom politics to bedroom politics -- and it stinks.

"They spout a gospel, but they practice hypocrisy in relation to that same gospel.'' Rev. Santucci said: "To suggest that this White Paper is not a threat is ludicrous -- it needs to be recognised that, yes, we're prepared to follow the leadership of the Government to a certain extent but Government has a right and responsibility to inform and to educate the populace.'' Churchman raps UK deal And he added: "I'm not concerned about what the Premier and Government are saying -- I'm concerned about what they're not saying. This hear no evil, speak no evil stance the Government is taking is nothing more than hypocrisy.'' "It's my contention that the content of this White Paper is so broad, it impacts on every aspect of our lives in terms of morality, social demographics, educational dynamics -- the Government needs to speak clearly in terms of its impact.'' Rev. Santucci said the PLP's position on human rights was similar to their views on Indpendence.

He added: "The PLP were proponents of Independence -- I would like to know if they have changed that position.

"In the past, they had no problems in speaking -- I believe that the church and the Christian community needs to know where the Government stands on the issue of this human rights act and how it will impact on our society.

"They need to at least give some indication of how they're going to respond.

And the most appropriate response with reference to hanging, corporal punishment and human rights is they should be addressed through a Referendum.'' Questions on Rev. Santucci's attack put to the Premier through Government Information Services on Friday had not been replied to yesterday.

Rev. Leonard Santucci