Embattled Wayne Furbert is off Island but stand-in United Bermuda Party leader Michael Dunkley said last night the Party remained fully behind its leader as it seeks to rebound from a triple blow dealt to its credibility.

The strength of the leadership of Mr. Furbert (pictured) has been brought into question by the events of the past two weeks and, as of this morning, most UBP parliamentarians have remained silent on doubts raised about their leader's ability. Stand-in leader Mr. Dunkley said support for the leader was firm and predicted a number of UBP MPs will make statements on leadership and alike matters over the coming days. During the weekend one UBP MP Louise Jackson did just that and spoke of disappointment over the resignations of fellow MP Jamahl Simmons and chairman Gwyneth Rawlins. A further MP, Maxwell Burgess has added to the Party's woes by announcing his dissatisfaction with the leader and announcing he will not stand in the next election. Mr. Dunkley, who is holding the fort in Mr. Furbert's absence, said: "Mr. Furbert is fully supported by the Party caucus, other than by Mr. Burgess."

He said the issues raised and comments made by the two MPs and chairman were being assessed as an on-going matter.

In his mind the events of the past two weeks are not the most tumultuous to strike the UBP, pointing to the difficulties that followed the 1998 election defeat.

"Successful people get up and bounce back," said Mr. Dunkley. "We are more resolute than before to get ahead and we are going to concentrate on getting ready for the election.

He said little on the view of some observers that the resignations bore hallmarks of having been orchestrated from outside the Party.

As for the apparent silence from other UBP MPs he said a number would be make statements during the coming week on related matters.

One who was prepared to speak was Shadow Health Minister Mrs. Jackson. She said her support of Mr. Furbert is unequivocal despite strongly critical comments from Mr. Burgess.

"As long as he's our leader he has my whole-hearted support," she said.

Although her support for Mr. Furbert is unwavering, she does acknowledge that the past few weeks have been filled with some troubling times for the party.

"All I have to say is I'm disappointed with Jamahl Simmons and Gwyneth Rawlins. These are two people who were very devoted to the party.

"Up until a month ago she was elected as our party chairperson and was excited about our party. And then all of a sudden to have all these things happen. It just leaves me to wonder.

"It's unfortunate that persons would let their personal failings and lack of accomplishments blight their judgement and retreat to poisoning the electorate against the UBP," Ms Jackson said.

Former party leader MP Grant Gibbons returned a call from The Royal Gazette yesterday, but only to say: "I've always taken the position that leadership is an internal party issue. I prefer not to comment publicly."

Since Friday members of the UBP in the Parliament and the Senate have received a phone call from The Gazette.

So far only Mr. Dunkley, Mrs. Jackson, David Dodwell, and Suzann Roberts-Holshouser have openly discussed their views on the Opposition Leader. Each of them has supported Mr. Furbert.

Conversations with Mr. Gibbons and Neville Darrell have shown no allegiances one way or the other.

The silence on the leader's fate has been far louder than the support.

Mrs. Jackson also swatted down mounting claims of racism in her Party: "I personally, at my age, have seen racism in two countries — Bermuda and the United States - but I have to say I've never seen any racism in the UBP.

"As a black person within the Party I see white and black people men and women working together to become the next Government."

The recent troubles at the UBP have apparently strengthened chances for the Progressive Labour Party to win the next election.

But when the Premier's press secretary Scott Simmons was asked whether the fray inside the Opposition meant an election sometime soon, he replied simply: "No comment."

Dunkley: We are behind Furbert