BEFORE he fled to England to save his skin, Kingsley Tweed played a dynamic role in Bermuda's labour movement and was the energy behind the Theatre Boycott of the 1950s, according to journalist and author, Ira Philip.

That Mr. Tweed returned to the island after a 40-year absence last month - and left - without explaining what was contained in the dossier compiled on him by the Bermuda Police Special Branch which he claims forced him into exile or, why, if the danger he faced was so grave he would leave his wife and eight-month-old daughter behind to face it alone, was of little importance when one considered his contributions to Bermuda said Mr. Philip. "Any stories circulating which suggested that Mr. Tweed left Bermuda for any reason than to save his life, were rumours put out to discredit him. It's all speculation. I have no reason to not trust his honesty.

"Kingsley Tweed was the energiser of the Theatre Boycott and played an integral role in organising the labour movement in Bermuda. The authorities here - the colonial and the imperial - saw Kingsley Tweed as a threat to the stability of this region. He was in exile and he was hounded. Trust me," Mr. Philip said, intentionally quoting a line made popular during the Progessive Labour Party's (PLP) election campaign this year. "...Trust me when I say Kingsley Tweed has been a factor not only in Bermuda, but in the United States, Great Britain and in Africa.

"How does one flee with a wife and child? The Progressive Group stayed undercover for 40 years. I don't criticise them but why didn't they come out (and make themselves known) before 40 years elapsed? This was a serious matter. A lot of people's reputations and livelihoods were on the line. Just as you ask 'Why didn't Kingsley Tweed surface?' Just as some say he abandoned his wife and child, why didn't the Progessive Group people make themselves known?

"It was for those same reasons compounded by other factors (the Progressive Group) was not associated with."

In his role as a journalist for the Bermuda Recorder, Mr. Philip reported on the boycott, which began on June 15, 1959, and also played a major role of his own in the unfolding events. He explained that the release of his recently-penned book, The History of the Bermuda Industrial Union, would show just how much the island had benefited from Mr. Tweed's efforts in those two arenas. Commissioned by the Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU), the book is expected to be released sometime near Labour Day, at the beginning of next month.

"It is, in effect, a definitive history of the organised labour movement in Bermuda in which Kingsley Tweed played a dynamic role aside from his involvement with the Theatre Boycott," he explained. "His role was significant in the Union."

Despite the 40-year absence, the huge contribution Mr. Tweed made to the BIU was not forgotten by its former president, Ottiwell Simmons.

"He was the general secretary of the Union for a few years as I can recall. He was also one of the first officers to be sent abroad to do a course at the British Trade Union Congress - a confederation of most trade unions in London. I would say his role (within the BIU) was significant at that time. He was quite an articulate person; quite a courageous leader. I can't say his being (with the BIU) brought us to where we are today - I don't think I could say that of anybody but he certainly played a part in laying the foundation and keeping the Union intact following the death of Dr. E.F. Gordon in 1955."

While he could not comment on whether Mr. Tweed's return was significant in the eyes of the BIU, Mr. Simmons said he thought it provided a glimpse of past Bermuda to many who had not lived through segregation.

"I can't speak on behalf of the Union but personally, I have always known Kingsley. We went to the same Sunday school, the same church, grew up around the same time and shared friends. So we have always been friendly with each other. Personally, I think (his presence here) was significant and I trust that whatever contributions he has made, and information he has passed on, will be of some use to those who never experienced the Theatre Boycott and never knew him. He carries a wealth of understanding of the social situation in Bermuda as it was in the '60s and his return is a good reminder of the rough times of that social situation."

The Theatre Boycott of 1959 was led by the Progressive Group, which worked in secret to organise the social protest which succeeded in bringing down the walls of segregation in Bermuda. Their efforts were documented in When Voices Rise, a film by Errol Williams. By all accounts, Mr. Tweed was not a member of the Progressive Group. It is claimed however, that he took a lead role outside the theatre, gathering popular support for the boycott as it progressed. While members of the Progressive Group remained anonymous, Mr Tweed and a few others put their faces and voices to the cause and in 1961, the fiery orator was forced to flee the island after receiving several threats against his life.

Said Mr. Philip: "Kingsley had the courage of his convictions to stand up and speak out. He put spunk in (the movement) launched by the Progressive Group. I want to be very, very careful not to take any credit from the Progressive Group for what they did, but I want to be categorical in crediting Kingsley Tweed foremost of others who have been denied the full credit they are due for making the boycott work."

Now 71, Mr. Tweed lives in London, England where he is an African Methodist Episcopal minister. Earlier this week, he told a gathering at St. Paul's Centennial Hall that he had been marked as a dangerous man by authorities after he and others, in their fight against racial segregation, planned to kidnap people in key positions. He fled the island, with guns pointed at his head, he said, and was arrested in New York by U.S. Immigration in 1963. He was released seven months later. Last month, at the invitation of the PLP, he returned to the island to address its supporters before the General Election was held.

"I don't want to get in too far about Kingsley Tweed being in Bermuda at the current time as I would only be scooping myself," said Mr. Philip, "but (in his speeches) you can see Kingsley is being a diplomat, a very shrewd diplomat, in facing up to the political scene. He's careful not to assail anybody. If you knew the guy, you would detect that he's very cleverly treading around the political scene. The PLP were not the only ones trying to get Kingsley to come back. There were other groups; special interest groups who endeavoured to get him to come here."

According to BIU president Derrick Burgess, his group had tried to bring lure Mr. Tweed to the island in the past. And, contrary to newspaper reports, he added, the minister's exile from Bermuda had been anything but self-imposed.

"He played a significant part in Bermuda. Despite what The Royal Gazette said he had to leave. It's unfortunate, because it's Bermuda's loss. I think it's good he's back to share some history with us. If I could get him to stay I would but I know he now has roots in England. (The BIU) were trying to bring him back last year for Labour Day."

Mr. Tweed did not return phone calls.