A heated row within the One Bermuda Alliance over now abandoned plans to bring back Travel Authorisation fees was a damaging own goal for the party, Michael Dunkley has admitted.

However, the shadow health minister, and former premier, said the party could now put the matter to rest and move forward.

Cole Simons, the OBA leader, was forced to do an embarrassing U-turn on his TA tax plan and issue a public apology to his colleagues for not consulting them on the policy which he unveiled in his Budget Reply speech.

Asked if the incident was an own goal for the party, Mr Dunkley told a Budget press conference yesterday: “Yes, but you know, quite often in games when people score an own goal they can still win the match.

“We are a strong team. And, we all make mistakes. I’ve made many mistakes in my political career.

“So, we have to move forward. If I could say I’d never made another mistake in politics I would be the happiest person in this country.”

Asked if it had caused significant damage to the OBA, Mr Dunkley said: “I think initially it probably did, but, we can regroup from that. In life we all have our falls and we have got to get up and go again.”

Mr Dunkley said he supported Mr Simons, stating: “As somebody who has been in politics and seen a lot, I try to give support as much as I can.

“Sometimes, you are left out there on your own and you need the support of colleagues. I have known Cole for a long time.”

Jarion Richardson, the OBA deputy leader, is understood to still be mulling over whether to call for Mr Simons’ resignation over the way he handled the Budget Reply and failed to consult with colleagues before the event.

Criticism over the way Mr Simons pledged the OBA to tax increases without consultation sparked an emergency caucus meeting last Sunday which was described as “hot” in tone by sources present.

Caucus members had to “throw the kitchen sink” at the OBA leader to get him to change course on plans to reintroduce the contentious $40 TA fee as well as the promise to look at adding value added tax on healthcare, according to persons present.

Following the party backlash, Mr Simons said in a statement: “I did not adequately consult with, or vet these suggestions, with our caucus – our parliamentary representatives and candidates.

“It was an error in judgment for me to do this without consultation and I would like to extend a public apology to them and the people of Bermuda.

“Let me stress, the OBA does not want to see the residents of Bermuda burdened with any additional taxes and they do not wish to see the reintroduction of the Travel Authorisation or any affiliated fees.

“The OBA will not reintroduce the TA in any form. Over the weekend, I apologised to my colleagues; there was never any ill intent and our commitment, as a team, is to continue to work together for the betterment of Bermuda.”