The Progressive Labour Party has called on Attorney General Trevor Moniz to resign, accusing him of misleading the House of Assembly regarding controversial criminal justice legislation.

However Mr Moniz has responded that the PLP have been “mischievous” in selecting quotes.

Mr Moniz had told the House of Assembly that Justin Williams, the immediate past president of the Bermuda Bar Council, said that the legislation had the Bar’s full support and he took on suggestions put forward by them.

However new president of the council, Richard Horseman, said that while the council generally supports a push to modernise the criminal justice system, some of the specific proposals being put forward are a cause for concern and are not supported in their current form.

Shadow Attorney General Michael Scott said in a statement this afternoon: “The two statements are diametrically opposed on any analysis.

“I say that the Attorney General’s statements in the House amount to a serious breach of the Rules of Parliament and Clause (V) of the Ministerial Code of Conduct. That clause provides: ‘It is of paramount importance that Ministers give accurate and truthful information to Parliament, correcting any inadvertent errors at the earliest opportunity. Ministers who knowingly mislead Parliament will be expected to offer their resignations to the Premier.’

“It has been 23 days since the untruthful statement was made to the House and no attempt to correct the record has been made by the Attorney General. Rather we have learnt that the AG has elected to devote inordinate levels of energies trying to salvage the unconstitutional law reform bills.

“The actions of the Attorney General are gravely concerning and are contrary to the high standards required of him of upholding of the integrity of parliament and justice generally. He has but one choice, and that is to follow rule five of the Code of Conduct and tender his resignation.”

In an official response, Mr Moniz said: “During the course of Parliamentary debate on our criminal reform bills, I rose on a point of order to clarify misplaced concerns about there being no consultation with the Bermuda Bar Council.

“At that time, I stated to the House the substance of conversations I had had with Justin Williams, the immediate past president of the Bar Council, and Richard Horseman, the current president. At the same time, I also said that the Bar had provided me with a lengthy report, which had a number of objections in it.”

Mr Moniz said he had repeatedly acknowledged objections to the legislation concerning the constitutionality of the reforms, but said he does not agree with them.

“The Shadow Minister’s statement is part of a campaign of misinformation,” he said. “This is the clearest example of the politics of personal attack. Let me take this opportunity to reiterate that I am satisfied our criminal reform bills are constitutional.”

He later added: “In addition to the Defence Bar, these reforms have undergone consultation with the judges of the Supreme Court, the Magistrates, the Department of Public Prosecutions and the Bermuda Police Service. Suggestions have been provided; many have been incorporated but not all.

“In addition, I have been approached by many victims of crime and their families concerned about how long it has taken for their cases to make their way through the courts. They have decried adjournments and delays.

“Government is pleased that the overwhelming majority of relevant stakeholders support the legislation, and we expect the Bermudian public to do so as well. The government has answered calls for reform and delivered far-reaching proposals.

“As Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, I am here to serve the people of Bermuda. The ultimate objective of this process is to improve the criminal justice system in Bermuda, and we must not lose sight of this.”