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Perry: I didn't say get off 'my property'

BBC board chairman Fernance Perry

BBC board chairman Fernance Perry yesterday vowed to track down who was responsible for broadcasting a union president's comments "on my television station".

Mr. Perry said he was affronted by Bermuda Industrial Union president Chris Furbert's remarks on the dispute between management and workers.

But at the same time the BBC boss also denied barring his TV and radio staff access to the broadcasting station.

He described reportedly sending news editor Jannell Ford outside with the message: "Go home and get off my property," as "nonsense".

Employees told this newspaper on Thursday that shortly after their walkout, Mr. Perry asked Ms Ford to give staff this message.

Last night however, Mr. Perry said he had only spoken to a BIU member along these lines.

"I told Mrs. (Molly) Burgess that if these people were not going to work then they were not to hang around the property, I did not say my property," he said.

"I did not shut them out, they operated the TV station for Mr. Furbert and Mr. (Gary) Moreno."

On Friday anchorman Gary Moreno and a camera crew broadcast a special bulletin updating the public on the stand-off. On Saturday, it is understood BIU president Mr. Furbert was also broadcast speaking about the BBC row.

However, Mr. Perry took issue with some of Mr. Furbert's comments saying they were incorrect.

"Mr. Furbert I understand he was on TV yesterday, and none of his facts were correct," he said.

"All the people there (at BBC) have gotten a (pay) rise. They are right up-to-date, besides this year. The money that's owing, that's the money in arrears to do with the Arbitration (Award)."

But Mr. Perry said: "That was Mr. Furbert on my television station, without my permission. I'm going to find out tomorrow morning who let him in to make those statements."

He said: "Mr. Furbert said that the employees hadn't had a rise for three years that's not true. They were paid the beginning of last year. I made up the pay for 11 percent for three years. They are up-to-date.

"The only year they haven't had any rise yet is this year. And I can't afford to give them a pay rise because of the economy."

Mr. Perry then said he was also "disappointed" with The Royal Gazette.

"The last CEO, Mr. (Bill) Craig, I was disappointed that The Royal Gazette got hold of him. The Royal Gazette had no right to do that. He had been fired. He can only say what he likes about the company, but anyway, that's history now."

This newspaper published an interview with Mr. Craig after his departure from the BBC, in which he said he was suddenly asked to leave and handed a severance cheque. He said the sequence of events left him "flabbergasted".