The Progressive Labour Party are demanding that Government apologise for damaging Bermuda’s reputation by “saying they’re able to waive the law”.However, Government Senate Leader Michael Fahy dismissed the incident as nothing more than a ‘storm in a tea cup’, even as PLP Senator Marc Daniels accused the OBA of an ill-advised breach of the rules for the Spending and Government Efficiency (SAGE) Commission.Last night, a statement from the Premier’s office again refuted the claims.However, Sen Daniels insisted during yesterday’s Senate motion to adjourn that SAGE Commission head Brian Duperreault’s public remarks on the Commission’s work had “clearly contravened” the SAGE Act.“We have to be concerned about our island nation’s reputation, but concerned as well, as members of the public, in terms of what advice is being given to the Government.”He branded the incident “reminiscent of jetgate” — which Sen Fahy said showed the Opposition’s “over reliance on blogs and talk shows filled with half facts and half truths”.Added Sen Fahy: “Jetgate continues to be bandied around as a major scandal of our Government. There was no breach of conduct.”Saying the accusations seemed to point toward Attorney General Mark Pettingill, Sen Fahy said the AG “has given very good advice”.“I know Cabinet backs him,” Sen Fahy continued. “This latest allegation is a storm in a teacup.”However, Sen Daniels was adamant that Mr Duperreault violated Section 11 of the Act, which requires members of the Commission to maintain secrecy, when he spoke about SAGE before Hamilton Rotary Club last month.He added that Mr Duperreault had vetted his speech with Cabinet before issuing it.“This is not about attacking Mr Duperreault, because mistakes can happen,” Sen Daniels told The Royal Gazette. “But the issue becomes a little more egregious.“Government say Mr Duperreault told them in advance what he planned to do. In so doing that, there was the intention to wilfully disregard Section 11. Government shave have known better, because we just passed the law.”However, Premier Craig Cannonier responded that in Government’s view, the comments were not in violation of the Act.Mr Cannonier also said the accusations had been based upon “informal e-mail exchanges” between Charmaine Burgess, his press secretary, and radio host Sherri Simmons.“The Government cannot waive any provision of the Act, and perhaps the phrasing that was used was mistaken. What was trying to be communicated was that the Government does not believe that anything Mr Duperreault said was a breach of confidentiality, and as such, Section 11 was of no relevance.”Mr Cannonier said the Minister of Finance received a courtesy copy of the speech shortly before the June 25 address.“Mr Duperreault was not seeking prior approval, nor was he required to do so,” he added.But the latest flak since the speech, in which the Commission Chairman pulled no punches on the “cumbersome bureaucracy” of Bermuda’s civil service, has drawn the ire of Bermuda Public Service Union General Secretary Ed Ball.Last night Mr Ball told this newspaper: “It is time for the Government to set out its position on the alleged breach of Section 11.”Mr Pettingill’s media contact hadn’t responded by press time to questions from The Royal Gazette on whether he believed the speech had violated special provisions of the Act.