The leaders of the Bermuda Industrial Union and the One Bermuda Alliance clashed on the eve of today’s by-election head-to-head between Dwayne Robinson and Jason Hayward.

Chris Furbert, the president of the BIU, attacked “offensive” comments made by Mr Robinson, the OBA candidate, about the December 2016 protests over the airport redevelopment plan that led to demonstrators being pepper-sprayed by police.

But Craig Cannonier, Leader of the Opposition, said the press conference was “cheap electioneering” on behalf of the Progressive Labour Party’s Mr Hayward.

Mr Cannonier said: “These were cheap shots against a young man who dearly wants to represent his country to fight for the future of all Bermudians, not some Bermudians.

“What people want to know is how they will make a living, how seniors can enjoy their retirement and how our youth will get a job.

“Where is BIU’s press conference on these pressing issues? Where is the self-styled People’s Campaign? Why are they all so silent when Bermudians are suffering today, now?”

Mr Cannonier added: “Dwayne Robinson is a fine young man. Bermuda needs him, and others like him. He represents our future.”

The war of words broke out after clips of the satirical web show It’s That Type of Party, in which Mr Robinson, a cohost of the show, said protesters received “pepper mist” rather than pepper spray, resurfaced.

Mr Robinson said the clip was put online almost three years ago and that he apologised on social media after the clip had aired.

Mr Furbert said yesterday: “To the best of my knowledge, the people that filed complaints to the police authority who were pepper-sprayed on December 2, I don’t remember Mr Robinson coming along and apologising to any of those people.

“Now you can’t fault the public, whether a member of the PLP or a member of the public now, reminding the people of Bermuda what happened.”

He added: “I would just maybe like to put it out to Mr Robinson that maybe some of that should be put in your eyes to see how you feel, to see if it’s really a ‘mist’ or not.”

Mr Furbert said Mr Robinson had to be held accountable for his actions and dismissed the suggestion that the resurrection of the clip was “dirty tricks”.

He said that Pembroke Central voters would be able to choose between a candidate who made light of seniors who were pepper-sprayed and Mr Hayward, a candidate who Mr Furbert said stood shoulder-to-shoulder with them.

Mr Furbert added: “If it looks like the BIU is 100 per cent or 150 per cent behind Mr Hayward, that’s absolutely correct.”

Mr Cannonier responded at the OBA offices in Hamilton and criticised the BIU’s silence on problems like the cost of living, tax increases and the Government’s stonewall approach to a string of controversies at the Department of Child and Family Services.

Mr Cannonier said Mr Robinson was working and canvassing, which was why he had spoken out to defend him.

He added: “Maybe you should be asking the question why isn’t Jason talking? You have a union president holding a press conference, but not Jason.

“What have we heard from Jason, the candidate for Constituency 17 for the PLP?”

Voters will go to the polls in Pembroke Central, Constituency 17, today.

Polls will open at the St Paul AME Church Hall in the City of Hamilton at 8am and close at 8pm.

All voters must bring valid photo identification and the use of portable electronic devices is not allowed inside the polling station.