Shadow Finance Minister David Burt last night accused Premier Craig Cannonier of “hiding behind legal action” after being issued with a writ for slander.

And the Opposition front bencher also went on the offensive, challenged Mr Cannonier to “come clean” over the relationship between his business partner and an overseas hotel developer, and accusing the Premier of misleading Parliament over the ‘Jetgate’ affair.

Mr Cannonier launched the legal action after Mr Burt and Opposition leader Marc Bean last week made separate allegations of corruption against the Premier in relation to Government’s controversial decision to drop plans for a promised referendum on casino gambling.

If legalised, at least one gaming licence will be granted to a hotel developer planning to invest in the Island.

Last night Mr Burt questioned Mr Cannonier’s explanation of why his business partner accompanied a Government delegation on a trip to Washington last summer.

“The Premier has still refused to tell the country why he took his private business partner — Mr Steven Decosta, who is not a part of the Government — with his Cabinet colleagues to discuss a casino development in St George,” Mr Burt said.

“Last week the Premier used the excuse that people bum rides on private jets all the time, but today Minister Crockwell revealed that the Premier misled the people of this country — as we learned that Mr DeCosta didn’t just bum a ride but participated in Government meetings in Washington DC.

“The Premier also misled Parliament when he neglected to name his business partner as part of the delegation when he addressed Parliament on this issue on May 31, 2013.

“It is shameful that the Premier neglected to be fully truthful with Parliament and equally it is troubling that the Attorney General and Minister of Tourism did not correct the record when they had the opportunity.

Instead of hiding behind legal action and barring reporters from press conferences the Premier must come clean with the nature of his and his business partner’s relationship with Mr Nathan Landow.”