Bermuda Democratic Alliance leader Craig Cannonier yesterday called for outspoken Senator David Burch to stop making "foolish" and confrontational outbursts.

"When is the Minister of Everything going to be reined in?" asked Mr. Cannonier in response to Sen. Burch's claim that opposition MPs and lawyers Trevor Moniz, John Barritt and Mark Pettingill are potential criminals.

Sen. Burch had attacked conveyancing lawyers as "people fuelled primarily by greed" as he announced next week's controversial land licences deadline would be extended six months.

Claiming Sen. Burch has "far too much power for an unelected individual", the BDA leader said in a statement yesterday: "The Senator's outbursts are becoming increasingly vitriolic, confrontational and are completely unnecessary.

"While some may think his tough approach on some issues is what Bermuda needs there is a time and a place for this.

"Regardless of how one may feel personally about those who have acted in the interest of good governance, sound advice is always good for Bermudians. To be suggestive and accuse Opposition MPs of unscrupulous behavior is foolish.

"It's a new day and this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated. The undertones of racial divisiveness is old. The Senator is a divisive figure and has far too much power for an unelected individual. I call on the Senator to check himself before he wrecks himself and further divides our country."

Today, a bill will be tabled in the House of Assembly giving foreigners an extra six months to obtain a land licence under the Immigration and Protection Amendment Act, which was passed three years ago.

Sen. Burch yesterday told the Senate the extension from June 22 this year to December 31 would help foreign spouses of locals, who are eligible for Bermudian status but have not yet applied.

Such citizens who own property with their partner will not require one of the $1,375 land licences under the Act, so long as they obtain status.

The Minister said there were many foreign spouses of Bermudians who had not applied for status even though they met the requirements of being married for a decade, ordinarily resident on the Island for the last seven years and had lived together for the past two years.

Foreign spouses who are not yet eligible for status and own property with their partner or have provided financial assistance to help them acquire a home will need to get a licence before the end of the year.

Sen. Burch said lawyers had tried to characterise the Act as "purely one of an assault on foreign spouses of Bermudians".

He said: "Let me state categorically that Bermudians who marry foreigners are not in the same category as Bermudians who marry Bermudians. How could they be — they are not Bermudian.

"It is offensive to me — as a born Bermudian — to hear the demands that foreigner spouses should have all the rights and privileges of Bermudians on the day of their marriage.

"This can't be right when the very same foreign country does not extend the same rights of their nationals to the Bermudian spouse." The Minister did not detail which foreign countries he was referring to.

He said the controversial Act — aimed at preventing the illegal practice of "fronting" and restricting the amount of land owned by foreigners — was under review after criticism from conveyancing lawyers.

"I have directed that our technical officers, led by in-house counsel, immediately explore these complaints with a view to further refining or clarifying the law before the new December deadline."

He told the Upper Chamber that trusts had been used extensively by several law firms to hide criminal activities related to fronting, where a non-Bermudian gains an unlawful interest in land by using a local "front". The Minister did not name the firms.

"These trusts have been used to purchase property on behalf of restricted persons that are both below the ARV (annual rental value) allowed or in some cases a second or third property — in complete contravention of the law.

"A number of these trustees have been directed by the Chief Immigration Officer to dispose of those properties before the June 22 deadline or face prosecution."

The bill will not be debated by MPs before the June 22 deadline — but it is expected to be approved before Parliament breaks for the summer and will be retroactive.