Premier Ewart Brown is now thought to consider his own backbenchers part of the "Combined Opposition" he believes are out to get him.

Outspoken Progressive Labour Party MPs have joined the media, the United Bermuda Party, Bermuda Democratic Alliance, numerous political commentators and bloggers under the catch-all term Dr. Brown coined to refer to everyone he thinks is trying to bring him down, according to PLP sources.

It comes after the Premier condemned what he said was the Combined Opposition's "rabid attacks on Wayne Furbert" following the former UBP Leader's move to join his old rival the PLP.

However, yesterday the UBP pointed out it had made no attacks at all on Mr. Furbert, with Leader Kim Swan releasing a statement saying: "Like him, we have moved on."

Mr. Furbert acknowledged yesterday the press had been "very fair and balanced" in its reporting of his move across the floor of the House of Assembly.

The only criticism of Mr. Furbert in The Royal Gazette came from a number of unnamed PLP MPs, one of whom described his switch as a slap in the face to the constituents who voted him in under the UBP banner.

And former active PLP member Larry Burchall, who described Mr. Furbert's actions as "sordid and unprincipled" in his Bermuda Sun column, insists he merely presented a well backed up critical argument on the issue.

One PLP member told this newspaper yesterday: "It wouldn't surprise me if Dr. Brown thinks the backbenchers are part of the 'Combined Opposition'. He thinks everybody who criticises him is a fool. Leaders who can't accept criticism are dangerous."

It is the latest development in a row surrounding the language of PLP Senator Marc Bean, who in recent days has dubbed an environment group a "muppet show" which "pimps and prostitutes" issues.

In Thursday's Royal Gazette, Mr. Swan urged Dr. Brown to reprimand his senator, but Dr. Brown responded: "Until [Mr. Swan] is willing to call upon members of the Combined Opposition to apologise for their non-stop, rabid attacks on Wayne Furbert and others, including myself, there will be no reprimand from me."

A UBP spokesman said yesterday: "A quick review of the record shows that statements critical of Mr. Furbert came primarily from the Premier's own PLP backbench, Mr. Furbert's new political colleagues.

"So by the Premier's own logic, the 'Combined Opposition' that he often rails against to elicit public sympathy, appears to include members of his own Government.

"Beyond the spin, the Premier has given Sen. Bean the all-clear to continue his 'pimps and prostitutes' denunciations of people who oppose or question Government policy."

Sen. Bean is said to have angered party members in the past by resorting to name-calling and heckling when they have spoken out against the Premier.

Last night, one PLP member said of his latest comments: "That type of attacking, with words like that — the public are getting tired of that.

"The average Bermudian — the average progressive Bermudian — is tired of it and sick of it. It's the beginning of the same attitude that causes the 'us versus them' thinking that causes all the gang violence: 'because I don't agree, I will shoot you.'

"It's not necessary. I hope he picks up a dictionary and finds some other words to use."

Mr. Furbert said he had been criticised on talk shows, but accepted it goes with the territory, saying: "I'm seasoned. Once you are comfortable in who you are, you aren't bothered about what people are saying. I expected some of that.

"The Royal Gazette hasn't attacked me. I think the press has been very fair and balanced. If it wasn't I would have called to complain," he said.

Mr. Burchall said: "One thread joins the tone of the Senator's remarks, the tone and style of those PLPers who are currently most critical of me, and this reported comment by the Premier. The thread is one of desperate hostility.

"Rabid criticism? Since 1992, in over 800 articles, I have criticised often. I criticised Sir John Swan — yet today he and I always speak warmly, honestly, and candidly to each other.

"The same goes for ex-Premier Dr. David Saul and ex-Premier Dame Pamela Gordon. That I am critical of the performance of Premier Number Ten is unfortunate — for Premier Number Ten. Perhaps he should perform better, and be able to demonstrate a better performance record.

"This is a free society. One that I helped bring about. I don't criticise without presenting supporting reasons. If someone finds my criticism 'rabid' probably comes from having a siege mentality. A siege mentality often springs from a situation where one's performance is found seriously wanting and one has become a magnet for criticism.

"Fair and open comment that is supported by reasonable evidence is something that is a part of an open democracy. I cherish open democracy."