United Bermuda Party leader Wayne Furbert has accused former colleague Jamahl Simmons of crying racism to cover his own shortcomings.

But Mr. Simmons hit back saying it was Mr. Furbert’s weakness in tackling racists in the party which had led to his bitter split.

On Monday Mr. Simmons quit the party after a bitter three-year fight against white Pembroke West members wanting to dump him in favour of former MP Erwin Adderley.

At the heart of Mr. Simmons allegations are that two of his supporters were threatened with getting fired from their jobs — one from Government, another from the private sector.

But Mr. Furbert such a threat wouldn’t work in 2007 Bermuda.

He said: “Why do we continue if something goes wrong blaming race for the problem? We are tearing the country apart.

“Jamahl knows very well it has nothing to do with racism. It has everything to do with him not working his area.”

He said the faction out to replace Mr. Simmons wanted another black candidate in Mr. Adderley. “How could it be racism?”

And he said Mr. Simmons had beaten another black candidate — Neville Darrell — when the sitting white member of parliament resigned in 2002 — to get the nomination for the seat.

“We have to stop blaming everything on racism just to get what we want just because we did not do what we were supposed to do,” said Mr. Furbert.

Mr. Furbert said he was sure the Progressive Labour Party was gloating about the embarrassing row but he denied it would seriously affect the UBP’s election chances.

“I think people will recognise what it is. Once the truth starts getting out there, there is only so much Jamahl can spin those wheels.”

He said the mood at Monday night’s UBP parliamentary caucus was of concern for Mr. Simmons. “I woke up this morning with peace in my heart knowing I did everything possible under our constitution to protect Jamahl Simmons.”

He said released e-mails showing his support for Mr. Simmons. They also show Mr. Simmons’ support for Mr. Furbert.

In one Mr. Simmons says: “Anyone who wants to hurt you will have to come through me.”

Mr. Simmons then goes on to say: “As a friend I am begging you to take care of yourself and get plenty of rest, you looked really tired on Friday on TV.”

In another dated December 6, Mr. Simmons says: “Wayne we are cool and I definitely believe you support me — if I came across badly I apologise from the depths of my heart.”

At a press conference yesterday Mr. Furbert said: “Is this the same person who writes with such venom that the leadership doesn’t support him?

“I am not going to get into why Jamahl is where he is because I don’t want to hurt Jamahl. I care about Jamahl.”

In an email dated from December 12, Mr. Furbert writes of his concern about Mr. Simmons, who was proving difficult to contact, in which he says: “Something is not right, you have not been the Jamahl that I am used to.

“Let me say that your colleagues are trying to reach out to you. We are supporting you for Pembroke West and are willing to help you in other ways if we know what is on your mind. Please let us reach out to you.”

He said he had held off Erwin Adderley from challenging Mr. Simmons last year and he said a poll in Pembroke West showed the incumbent had the support.

“I met with his branch, showed them the poll,” said Mr. Simmons. “They then supported Jamahl.”

But he said even after seeing the figures Mr. Adderley — a former MP for the area — pressed on with his bid to take the party nomination off Mr. Simmons.

This was his right said Mr. Furbert who said the people must decide.

Mr. Simmons last night said the releasing of the e-mails showed how morally bankrupt Mr. Furbert was and had vindicated his decision to split with the party.

“I find it interesting he can be McGiver, Columbo and Magnum PI all rolled into one by digging around for these e-mails but somehow he can’t muster the testicular fortitude to confront the racism in his own party.”

On claims he was using racism as a cover for his own inadequacies Mr. Simmons said his poll figures in Pembroke West showed a different story. “It doesn’t make sense.”

He agreed he had been very close to Mr. Furbert about a month ago but reiterated the leader’s failure to deal with the threats had sparked the resignation. “It isn’t about me.”

Asked about the depth of racism in the party he said it didn’t represent the people and there was an insensitivity and empathy problem.

“You have to spend a lot of time making a case. If it was diverse it wouldn’t be so difficult.”

Pressed on specifics he said he wasn’t interested in helping the party sort out its problems.

Mr. Furbert denied allegations the UBP remained basically a white party at the grass roots.

“People aren’t getting involved in politics anymore to be honest with you. And we are always trying to get a broad perspective for people who serve in branches.

“In my branch I have worked hard to bring more black people in. It’s up to individuals to do everything in their power to bring people in.”

Mr. Furbert said he wouldn’t be surprised if Mr. Simmons crossed the floor to join the PLP.

Mr. Simmons again refused to rule that out last night but said he was more interested in serving out his term as the member for Pembroke West.

At Monday’s controversial press conference Mr. Simmons had reeled off a list of policies he supported but which he claimed the UBP did not.

Mr. Furbert said he had asked Mr. Simmons to come up with some ideas on education and immigration which were now being discussed by the party.

“He can’t say we ignored them. We hadn’t taken a decision on them.”

And despite getting its fingers badly burned by a candidate who had been through both the PLP and NLP, Mr. Furbert said his party would not be putting prospective candidates under greater scrutiny.

“It comes down to the individual. We will continue to fight hard to bring people. Not everybody is cut from the same cloth as Jamahl.”