Controversial consultant to the Premier, Rolfe Commissiong, will not be fired for sending an abusive and profanity strewn e-mail to a member of the public.

The message branded a part-time researcher who provided him with a manuscript on 19th century slavery in Bermuda, a "racist" and an "as* **le" for uncovering evidence that some black Bermudians were allegedly slave owners.

According to a report in the Mid-Ocean News Mr. Commissiong send an e-mail on Sunday saying: "Yes, Mr. Racist, some blacks owned slaves... even in america, some of these slave owners sought to even fight for the confederacy.

"We may find that a limited number of free Africans in Bermuda did own some although I have never come across any evidence. No doubt as in America 99.8 percent of Africans in the so called new world did not own slaves but were slaves!!!!

"Surely you would not suggest that now the smallest exception makes the rule would you as* **le!!!!! And the bottom line is if whites were a majority in this country you wouldn't care if blacks voted for your party but they are not... and except for a paltry 7 to 8 percent Black Bermudians are not going to vote your party.

"Let's put it this way the next election will be referendum on the Premier and me (i.e. race) you want to place a bet on who the majority are going to support.

"But I guess the day after the election you'll be saying things such as black people are really stupid, or to (sic) emotional or something like that. "Do not send me anymore of this s**t."

Yesterday Glenn Jones, Press Secretary to the Premier confirmed Mr. Commissiong had used profanity in a personal e-mail reply.

Mr. Jones added: "However the e-mail was not sent in Mr. Commissiong's capacity as Consultant to the Premier. The e-mail was sent from Mr. Commissiong's personal e-mail account and from his home computer."

He said the Premier did not condone the use of profanity.

But Mr. Jones added: "Mr. Commissiong will not be disciplined. Although the tone and language of the e-mail was inappropriate, the Premier has little control over the way Government employees choose to use their personal e-mail accounts."

Asked if Mr. Commissiong would be making an apology Mr. Jones said: "This question should be directed to Mr. Commissiong as his comments were not made while representing the Office of Premier."

The Royal Gazette contacted Mr. Commissiong yesterday but he said he was in a meeting and couldn't talk.

Mr. Commissiong was appointed as a consultant to the Premier last November on a six-month contract which came with a reported $8,000-a-month salary.

His brief was to "conduct a full review of the Young Black Male Study, undertake in-depth research on the plight of young black males in Bermuda and provide recommendations with respect to implementing programmes and initiatives to address the current predicament of this targeted group".

Mr. Commissiong has organised public forums on race, dubbed the Big Conversation.

Opposition leader Michael Dunkley said the e-mail exchange showed once again why Mr. Commissiong was not the right choice to head the Big Conversation.

"It is very sad in 2007 you have someone hired on the people's purse conducting himself like this.

"The Press Secretary and the Premier have copped out saying it's a personal opinion. Clearly in any jurisdiction a level of accountability crosses from your professional life to your personal life.

"It isn't acceptable to allow this type of thing to go on."

Mr. Dunkley said it seemed to be a habit of people close to the Premier to respond in an aggressive way and he cited the abuse from Attorney General Philip Perinchief to the Governor and lawyer Tim Marshall in the recent debate over the Workforce Equity Act.

"Whenever someone puts their head up someone comes back and bashes them and calls them names."

Mr. Dunkley said this approach was unhealthy in a small community trying to work through issues because it would discourage people from coming forward.

"I appreciate Mr. Commissiong's interest in race relations but he would get a lot more progress by trying a more conciliatory manner."