the resignation of his successor and other top figures in the Island's part-time army.

Government Sen. David Burch -- who retired from the Regiment in 1997 after five years in the top job -- spoke out after The Royal Gazette exclusively reported a mini-mutiny among some officers at Warwick Camp.

Sen. Burch said: "Either people need to resign or people need to be fired or people need to be moved.

"Somebody needs to make a decision and they need to make it now.'' But Opposition Senators insisted the Upper House was not the place to launch an attack on the Regiment hierarchy.

Sen. Burch's statement was the first time he has come out in support of the rebel group's stand since it was reported at the start of this month.

It was reported then that black Regiment officers felt out of step with the direction the Regiment was taking under new CO Lt. Col. Outerbridge.

And the rebel officers approached Premier Jennifer Smith and Governor Thorold Masefield, the Regiment's Commander-in-Chief, to complain.

It is understood one of their conditions for a ceasefire was the drumming out of Royal Anglian Regiment staff officer Maj. David Napier -- who they claimed was advising the CO badly.

But other officers lined up behind their CO and opened fire on the rebels for being resistant to attempts to modernise Regiment training -- and they insisted there had "always been confrontation'' between some Bermudians and staff from overseas.

Sen. Burch refused to expand on his statement outside the Senate Chamber -- but he confirmed his concerns were "no different'' from those publicised by Regiment rebels.

After The Royal Gazette revealed the row, a special task force was set up to bring peace to Warwick Camp.

But Sen. Burch told Senators: "It's time now for action -- I think that we have endured this long enough.'' And he said he had written to Mr. Masefield and been to see him to "implore him to do something''.

Sen. Burch said: "If you're going to command -- Commander-in-Chief or Commanding Officer -- you have got to command.'' He added: "The time for all these things other than action has passed and we need to see some action before our Country and our Regiment sufferers irreparable damage.'' Earlier, he said he had remained publicly silent over the crisis in the Regiment for 16 months.

But he added: "I can remain silent no longer -- I consider myself to be still a friend of the Regiment looking out for its best interests.'' Burch: Resign or be fired Lt. Col. Burch said stepping outside the command structure to complain was something no holder of a Queen's Commission would do lightly.

He added: "You're committed to that organisation and you do not go outside that organisation to get recourse -- unless it's the only way you get results.'' But Opposition Senate leader Maxwell Burgess: "The good senator doesn't have to come crying to the Senate about the plight of the Regiment.'' And he said he should "swing by'' the office of Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Paula Cox, who has delegated powers over the Regiment, and ask her to take his concerns to the Governor.

He added that the Premier also has weekly meetings with the Governor and that Sen. Burch should "try putting it on that agenda'' -- or even go direct to the Foreign Office in London.

Sen. Burgess said: "You're not Opposition any more..you're the Government, you're the future and Bermuda is in your hands.'' And Sen. Kim Swan said it was inappropriate to use Senate as a forum for complaints about the Regiment.

He added: "To use Senate to carry a message to the Governor is certainly not the way you should go forward in `the new Bermuda'.'' Sen. David Burch: Time for decisions Graphic file name: DAVBUR