Some Bermudians were so scared of recriminations from Government if they signed a petition demanding a Constitutional Conference they removed their names, Opposition Leader Pamela Gordon has claimed.

Ms Gordon will hand in the 8,500 signature petition in London today to the Overseas Dependent Territories Minister Baroness Scotland.

The United Bermuda Party leader said last night that 50 people had taken their names off the petition because they were afraid Government in Bermuda would see it.

Others who wanted their names removed were persuaded to keep them on the petition after the UBP, which collected the signatures, was able to convince them it would be handed directly to the British government in London, said Ms Gordon.

"There was concern that if it was seen as a UBP petition and Government had the opportunity to review their names that they would have problems being ostracised by Government,'' Ms Gordon told The Royal Gazette .

"We had to guarantee them that it was not a UBP petition, that we were merely the facilitators, and that we would hand it directly to the UK government.

"Based on that, many who were concerned kept their names on, but there were some removals, about 50.

"Many were concerned about the issue but felt they would get into trouble with the Government, so they didn't sign it.

"People were basically saying `take our names off if its going to be handed in (to Government) because we don't want to get in trouble'. There was definitely a fear factor.'' Ms Gordon said she could not verify what would happen to the petition next.

Fears over petition But she added she had kept her word that it would be handed directly to the British government.

The petition calls for public input on Government's plans to set up a Boundaries Commission to redraw constituencies into single seats and reduce the number of MPs.

The petition demands that any constitutional changes be discussed at a Constitutional Conference and decided by referendum -- which Premier Jennifer Smith has rejected.

Ms Gordon will also hand in the UBP's position paper on constitutional change and a transcript of the marathon 24-hour debate in the House of Assembly in December.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office must now decide whether to begin the process of changes by recommending the Boundaries Commission be established.

A key factor will be that the FCO will have to be satisfied that there has been demonstrable public consultation.

A final decision on whether to set up the Boundaries Commission will be taken by the Privy Council, Bermuda's highest court.

Pamela Gordon