relations with its colonies, Bermuda's smallest political party claimed yesterday.

And National Liberal Party spokesman Graeme Outerbridge warned that the UK offer of full citizenship was "a Trojan horse'' aimed at the Island's booming offshore sector and trust business.

Mr. Outerbridge said: "We in Bermuda must start thinking about our future Consititutional links with Britain.'' Mr. Outerbridge was speaking after UK Foreign Secretary Robin Cook offered full UK citizenship to the 150,000 or so citzens of Britain's remaining colonies.

But -- although Britain said there were no strings attached -- Mr. Cook warned closer links with the mother country would have to mean a commitment to human rights and financial regulation in line with UK treaty obligations.

And Mr. Outerbridge said: "The released White Paper by Britain will probably cause serious Bermudian consideration of an alternative solution to full British passports.'' He added: "It is clearly obvious to the NLP that based on the initial facts released by the British Foreign Office, Bermuda's best way forward is Independence.

"The first reports concerning our options in the British White Paper seem to indicate that it is a trojan horse aimed at our European exempt business and our considerable trust business.

"It appears that what Bermuda gains in citizenship it loses much more in business and self-determination.'' Mr. Outerbridge admitted Britain had "every right'' to look at resolving the status of its colonies.

But he said: "Their solution may come at Bermuda's and other small colonies' expense.'' Mr. Outerbridge called for politicians to put aside party and get together to chart Bermuda's future course.

He said: "All Bermuda voters should vote to accept or reject the British offer on European Union citizenship.

"If the result is for Independence then we would join the Commonwealth and appoint the first Bermudian Governor General.

"Bermuda would keep its links with the Crown and the Privy Council would remain the Island's highest court of appeal.'' Mr. Outerbridge echoed Opposition leader Pamela Gordon, who said on Wednesday the offer of citizenship could not be viewed in isolation from Britain's insistence on an end to hanging and flogging and new tough rules governing offshore business.

The citizenship deal is open to individuals -- but Ms Gordon said the rest of the details were a matter for governments.

And she called for Government to hold a referendum on the entire White Paper -- with independence an option.

Ms Gordon said the Country should be allowed to decide whether it wanted to be tied to the UK -- and if the answer was no, "then the only choice then would be Independence.'' Premier Jennifer Smith said there was "nothing threatening'' in the Mr.

Cook's White Paper.