A call for “shadowy” groups to cease and desist has been made by the Premier, who claimed people were deliberately trying to sow division in the Progressive Labour Party.

David Burt, who faces a challenge to his leadership at the delegates conference next month, also claimed that some e-mails being circulated were “slanderous”.

However, despite being asked a number of times by The Royal Gazette to explain how division was being sown, what were the slanderous claims and in what way the groups were shadowy, the PLP leader has failed to provide answers.

Curtis Dickinson, the former finance minister, who is standing against Mr Burt for the PLP leadership, also attacked what he branded “malicious and destructive social-media advertisements”.

The comments from Mr Burt, in his position as PLP leader, came in a media statement that cited organisations called Change Agents and Agenda for Change.

He said the party must unite in the run-up to leadership elections, which are set to take place during the delegates conference.

A statement on PLP-headed paper said: “Premier David Burt wholly denounced the shadowy outside groups called ‘Change Agents’ and ‘Agenda for Change’.

“He further called on them to cease and desist.

“Recently, Bermudians have reported seeing Facebook and Instagram ads from an undisclosed page called ‘Agenda for Change’. And, PLP members and other Bermudians have reported receiving mysterious slanderous e-mails sent out through a listserv company based in the United States called Mailchimp.

“In the footer of the e-mail, Mailchimp discloses the group responsible for those e-mails as ‘Change Agents’ with an address at 17 South Road, Paget, which does not exist.”

Mr Burt added: “As leader of the Progressive Party, I am saddened by the attempt to manufacture division within our party.

“lt is clear that individuals have grouped together with the sole intention of sowing discord in the public domain in an attempt to create unfounded conflict.

“Unknown individuals have made it a priority to participate in the concerning acts of paying Facebook, Instagram and Mailchimp to circulate ads and anonymous e-mails to members to intentionally sow division.

“Our party and its forefathers have fought long and hard against societal perceptions which have eroded solidarity among Bermudians for far too long.”

He said: “We must stand united as a party as we approach the constitutional season of leadership elections and ask that its internal process be conducted without manufactured interventions of confusion.

“I denounce the actions of this group in the strongest terms and call on them to cease and desist immediately.”

The statement included a link to the Agenda for Change Facebook page, which showed a small number of posts made up of graphics and slogans.

They included: “Change. New Cabinet, new focus”.

Another said: “Our national debt is too high. We will make the tough but needed decisions to cut the unneeded workforce.”

A graphic that encouraged users to “support change” declared support for “cutting excessive national expenses”, “increasing collaboration with other entities”, “increasing women representatives” and “modifying education reform”.

An addition to the media statement said: “Thus far, two e-mails to our knowledge have gone out to Bermudians from the Mailchimp listserv platform.”

It showed screenshots that included the South Road, Paget address.

The statement added: “It appears that the address is not accurate and no such group is registered at that address. However, they are sending e-mails out to Bermudians.”

The Gazette asked for copies of the e-mails referenced but none were provided.

Mr Dickinson has confirmed his intention to put his name forward for PLP leader in the upcoming election and Renée Ming is expected to challenge for deputy leader.

In a statement issued via the PLP, Mr Dickinson said: “I welcome the Premier’s condemnation of these malicious and destructive social-media advertisements and e-mails that are being circulated throughout the community.

“I join the Premier in condemning those activities and further condemn and repudiate the ongoing negative campaign being conducted via fictitious WhatsApp and social-media posts.

“These activities seek to undermine not just our party’s electoral process, but also the stability of our Government itself.

“With the massive economic challenges facing our country, we must focus our efforts on solutions for Bermuda.”

Votes for the leadership positions will be cast at the PLP Annual General Conference from October 19 to 22.