CLAIMS by Premier Ewart Brown that he is the subject of a smear campaign have been dismissed by the Opposition United Bermuda Party.

Dr. Brown made the allegation at a public meeting on Tuesday, saying: "This is a campaign that began three years ago, long before I even attempted to become leader of the Progressive Labour Party.

"A smear campaign is something that experts in it can do well. There are some people in Bermuda who actually believe that I have cedar beams in my house. As time goes by, you are going to hear the truth."

The Premier reiterated his remarks on Wednesday, accusing the media of teaming up with the Opposition in a bid to bring the Government down.

"I'm not the demon that certain people are determined to make me out to be," he told party supporters.

But yesterday Opposition leader Michael Dunkley denied that his party was using dirty tactic in the run-up to the general election.

"I have spoken often in the past about keeping politics, and this election in particular, to the high ground because it is vital that on December 18 voters make the most informed decision about who they can trust, and who can best look after their interests and concerns," Mr. Dunkley said at a press conference.

"The Premier's campaign so far has not been about helping people make that informed decision. He has, instead, spent a lot of time talking about being a victim of a UBP smear campaign.

"But this is not true. And he knows it. I challenge him to find one reference in anything the United Bermuda Party has said or produced that resembles a smear.

"As leader of the United Bermuda Party, I am committed to bringing Bermudians together. Our party is about respect and tolerance. It is about hope not hate. Smears and name-calling have no place in the Bermuda we want to build.

"Finally, I think it is important to draw attention to the Premier's own behaviour, and his effort to portray himself as a victim when the record shows he is the chief perpetrator of the name-calling and invective that he condemns.

"Dr. Brown set the tone on Day One of this election, when he said the UBP was aligned with 'the forces of darkness'.

"He followed the next day with a speech that marked a new low in Bermuda politics. It included references to the UBP as 'most vicious and vile opponents' who are 'morally bankrupt'. He called the Son of the Soil a 'demented deviant'.

"But this kind of talk is nothing new. This is the same man who physically threatened one of my colleagues in the House of Assembly.This is the same man who, at a PLP rally, urged the crowd to raise their 'swords to slay the lying, vile, underhanded, vengeful UBP dragon'."