Home Affairs Minister Terry Lister yesterday accused the United Bermuda Party (UBP) of exploiting complaints from stabbing victim Scott Jable for political reasons.

In the House of Assembly on Saturday, Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, the Shadow Home Affairs minister, tried to highlight the American tourist's claim that he could not get adequate information about his case from the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

It emerged yesterday that Director of Public Prosecutions Khamisi Tokunbo spoke to Mr. Jable about his case on November 12 and senior Crown counsel Vinette Graham-Allen spoke to him at length on November 4.

Ms Gordon-Pamplin strongly denies exploiting the situation for political gain and yesterday Mr. Jable, 38, thanked her for her help in getting information.

Mr. Jable, who was stabbed on Front Street in broad daylight last month, sent Ms Gordon-Pamplin an email on November 7 saying he could not find out from the DPP's office why his alleged attacker had not been charged with attempted murder. A Bermudian has been charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The story went public in the early hours of Saturday morning when Ms Gordon-Pamplin, relying on the November 7 email, tried unsuccessfully to raise the issue in the House of Assembly during the motion to adjourn.

She was unable to discuss the issue after a number of Progressive Labour Party MPs walked out, leaving not enough members to form a quorum, but she issued a Press statement on Sunday.

Mr. Tokunbo launched a strong attack on The Royal Gazette for being "irresponsible" in not calling him for comment before publishing the story and warned both politicians and the media of the dangers of "playing politics with the criminal justice system".

Mr. Tokunbo said when he spoke to Mr. Jable on November 12: "I briefed him on certain things and promised to revert to him in due course.

"I believe I clarified one or two misconceptions that he had and which I am satisfied he was wrongly fed by other `advisors' or which he had wrongly assumed. He was satisfied."

Mr. Lister yesterday asked why Ms Gordon-Pamplin waited more than a week after receiving Mr. Jable's email on November 7 to raise the issue in the House, rather than contacting the DPP's office immediately.

Mr. Lister told The Royal Gazette yesterday: "Ms Gordon-Pamplin had a bunch of emails and the one quoted (in yesterday's story) was dated November 7.

"Why did she not talk to the DPP before now or telephone or go the Department? She had no interest in reaching the DPP.

"Her interest was in coming to the House and being political (about this) and she should be ashamed of herself.

"This gentleman walked away with a positive feeling about our Country (in media interviews) but now he has been subjected to political action from Pat Gordon-Pamplin and she ought to be ashamed of herself.

"If she really cared about this, she would have gone to the DPP (before raising it in the House).

"Since the Serious Crimes Commission report was released, the Police have made a strong attempt to develop a family unit to contact the families of victims.

"In the case of Steven Dill (who died last year in the Prison Farm), there has been excellent communication with the family.

"I am disappointed to learn that this may not be the case here, but maybe all the communication has gone in the wrong direction towards the DPP and not towards the Police but we can correct that, we can deal with that.

"Excluding that the man was attacked, he took away a positive attitude about Bermuda, and the last thing he wants is to be caught up in politics. That's not fair on him."

Mr. Jable wrote a further email to Ms Gordon-Pamplin yesterday stating Mr. Tokunbo did call him at home on November 12 and told him he had not yet reviewed the case and would contact him once he had decided on charges.

"At the time of writing (Monday) I have still not received word or explanation from Mr. Tokunbo on the DPP's plans," Mr. Jable wrote.

"Please understand we are not trying to cause trouble or complicate this case. The people of Bermuda have been wonderful throughout this ordeal.

"My wife and I would simply like to know why the DPP would (have) decided to charge my (alleged) attacker with grievous bodily harm, attempted murder or both. If there is a valid reason not to charge him with attempted murder, we would simply like to know what it is.

"We cannot tell you how much we appreciate your action in regard to this matter. Lying in bed, a thousand miles away from where this is all taking place, it is wonderful to know that we still have an advocate looking out for our concerns. Thank you."

Ms Gordon-Pamplin said yesterday: "It is unfortunate that he (Mr. Lister) has taken this attitude. My concern was to make sure there was timely communication with Scott Jable.

"I have no interest or necessity to exploit a very sad situation and I hope the DPP's office will be a little more forthcoming and timely when responding to people to avoid the frustration of being contacted by politicians."