Premier Ewart Brown told customs officers that all Cabinet Ministers should be given "due respect" and informed if packages sent to them need to be searched.

According to the minutes of a meeting he attended with customs officers last month: "He suggested that if a package or mail is under suspicion, he or the appropriate Minister should be called and the package opened in their presence."

Such protocols have previously only applied to foreign diplomats in Bermuda — as set out in law — but the Ministry of Finance revealed last week that they have been extended to the Premier for official mail sent to him.

The Ministry admitted to the change in procedure after The Royal Gazette revealed that some customs officers were not happy with the new rules and were refusing to follow them.

Dr. Brown raised the issue at a meeting he attended with HM Customs staff at the headquarters of the Bermuda Public Services Union (BPSU) on June 3.

The minutes of the meeting, obtained by this newspaper, record the Premier as saying that his wife, Wanda Henton Brown, had "never had the pleasure of opening a package in Bermuda without it being opened by someone else".

"He said that he had looked into it and had spoken to the department head; however, it continues to happen. Premier Brown stated his issue is one of respect and he felt that the office of Premier should be given its due respect.

"He also added that he felt the offices of Ministers should be afforded that same due respect.

"The due respect he spoke of regarded the opening of packages, mail etc. addressed to him or Government Ministers."

The minutes continue: "Premier Brown stressed that it was unnecessary that every package addressed to the leader of this country is to be subjected to this line of behaviour.

"He noted that he said that he will attempt to work it out officially in his capacity as Premier."

Zane DeSilva, Minister without Portfolio, also attended the meeting. The minutes state that the Premier "touched on" an incident involving HM Customs and the wedding dress of Mr. DeSilva's daughter Zarah, who recently married reggae artist Collie Buddz.

The minutes state: "Minister Zane DeSilva gave an overview of the incident surrounding his daughter's wedding gown and he felt the over zealousness of the customs personnel on duty was a bit over the top.

"He too remarked on the lack of respect of the office of Government Ministers and that of the Premier."

The minutes record a female principal officer as telling the meeting that the Collector of Customs had "sent out several directives regarding the protocol to be extended to Government Ministers and the like".

The Ministry of Finance's statement last week only referred to the Premier. It said: "Customs officers were directed to follow a protocol that should they select for inspection any official mail addressed to the Premier, they will not open that mail except in the presence of the Premier or his representative."

A source who attended the June 3 meeting told this newspaper: "The Premier told the customs staff that he had no problem with his mail being opened but that 100 percent of his packages being opened was indicative of something other than due diligence.

"He referred to a birthday card for his wife being opened as an example. Officers present agreed that it was wrong for the Premier to be receiving this kind of treatment and agreed to address this."

Mr. DeSilva declined to comment on the matter involving his daughter when approached by this newspaper.

Dr. Brown's spokesman said last month: "The Premier is content to allow the statements he made in the meeting to stand as delivered."