Constitution declared discriminatory.

Shadow Health and Social Services Minister Renee Webb claimed the clause discriminated against born Bermudians who swore allegiaence to another Country by barring them from serving as a member of either the House of Assembly or Senate.

According to Ms Webb, regardless of the fact that the motion was defeated 20 to 18, the matter will be debated in the British Parliament.

"It will be debated in the Britain where it will be stricken,'' she said.

The matter came to forefront after it was revealed that PLP MP Dr. Ewart Brown had pledged allegiance to the United States.

Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness said the Constitution should not be changed to suit the needs of one person.

"I'm not going to the people of Bermuda and say that just because someone makes a motion something can be stricken from the Constitution,'' he said.

"We all know that we would not be here debating it if it were not for Dr.

Brown.'' And Mr. Edness suggested that Dr. Brown renounce his US citizenship to avoid any controversy.

Government backbencher Ann Cartwright DeCouto said that if Dr. Brown won his seat in the next General Election, then he would be challenged on the matter again and it would go to the courts.

She said people elected to a seat in the House of Assembly should renounce any extra passports they had beside their Bermudian ones.

But Shadow Community Affairs Minister Paula Cox argued that the Constitution needed to be developed to meet changes in the international community and the motion provided this opportunity.

"This is not an illegitimate opportunity for growth and development,'' she said.

"Our view is based on the assumption of a more dynamic and evolutionary Constitution... going where we have not gone before.'' Dr. Brown said the matter was another case of non-Bermudians getting the privileges of born Bermudians.

He pointed out he had sworn his oath of allegiance to the US before becoming an MP where he also swore an oath to the Queen.

"What is the worth of the Constitution if my swearing an oath of allegiance in this House means nothing?'' This latest allegiance should take precedence over any other oaths taken, he claimed.

Mr. Edness last night said he had requested information from US officials regarding last weekend's "UFO'' sightings on Saturday night.

Noting the public's concerns that US missiles might have been deployed past Bermuda, Mr. Edness said he would seek reassurance from US officials that there will be no further episodes.