Controversial Opposition MP Ewart Brown does not understand the role of the Commonwealth, it was claimed yesterday.

For he slammed a Constitution which allowed Canadians, Australians and Jamaicans to sit as MPs and Senators while it was argued his US citizenship disbarred him.

But UK experts yesterday pointed out that all three countries, unlike the US, are members of the Commonwealth and acknowledge the Queen as Head of State.

Dr. Brown, who announced he was giving up his US passport to avoid confusion, added that America was "in no way a foreign power as far as Bermuda and Bermudians are concerned...'' But the UK insider pointed out that Bermudians require immigration clearance to enter the US and America regarded Bermuda as a foreign country -- no matter how close the relationship between the two.

Government and Community Affairs Minister Sen. Yvette Swan, who is Jamaican-born, is up against Dr. Brown in the Warwick East seat in the General Election with running mate Quinton Edness.

She said: "I have basically one thing to say -- I gave up my Jamaican citizenship more than 20 years ago, which I didn't have to do, after very deep thought and I not turned back.'' She added: "I'm glad that Dr. Brown has finally seen that he has to do this.

"And he knows about Jamaica because he went to school there -- that's where I first met him.'' Political heavyweight Mr. Edness was yesterday overseas and not available for comment.

Paget East MP Kim Young -- also Bermudian by status through marriage -- was Australian-born and therefore a Commonwealth citizen.

The row over Dr. Brown's eligibility surfaced in 1995 -- two years after he was elected.

A challenge to his right to sit in the House would have to have been made within 28 days of his capturing the seat, formerly held by Sir John Sharpe, by a handful of votes.

Later PLP attempts to have the relevant clause in the Constitution dropped failed.

The Constitution bars anyone "holding allegiance, obedience or adherence'' to a foreign power or state from being an MP or Senator.

And Government insisted there was a clear difference between someone born elsewhere who took an oath of loyalty to the Crown and a Bermuda-born adult who volunteered "by virtue of his own act'' to swear allegiance to a foreign flag.

Dr. Ewart Brown Graphic file name: BROWWN IMMIGRATION IMM