Cole Simons, the embattled One Bermuda Alliance leader, has received public support from some of the party’s MPs after he was forced to apologise and U-turn on controversial proposed tax rises which he did not consult colleagues about.

After it was revealed that deputy leader Jarion Richardson was close to calling for Mr Simons to quit over the matter, two shadow cabinet members expressed confidence in the OBA head and said he did the right thing by reversing his “mistakes”.

The comments came after the OBA was plunged into internal turmoil following Mr Simons using his Budget Reply last Friday to pledge to reintroduce the $40 Travel Authorisation fee and look at imposing value added tax on healthcare.

Following an internal revolt over the weekend, Mr Simons abandoned the tax hikes and publicly apologised to the OBA for his “error of judgment” and not consulting them on the controversial issues.

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Craig Cannonier, Shadow Tourism Minister, and former premier, said Mr Simons had done the “honourable thing”.

He told a post-Budget press conference: “I wish that more politicians were transparent and could be honest when they felt that they needed to correct something.

“How many times have you seen the PLP retract on matters that they know they are wrong on? You don’t see it.

“You have a leader among the One Bermuda Alliance that came out and said ‘listen, you know, I probably could have handled this one particular issue better’.

“I have full confidence (in him) – he got up and he said ‘listen, I made a mistake’. He is an honourable man. When did doing the right thing become wrong?

“Any leader that steps forward, any leader – I’ve been there myself – is going to make mistakes.”

Asked about possible calls for Mr Simons’ resignation, Mr Cannonier said: “What this party decides going forward is up to the party. That’s a decision for the One Bermuda Alliance.”

Scott Pearman, Shadow Home Affairs Minister, said he retained full confidence in Mr Simons following his “mistake”.

He said: “I think the leader was extremely clear when he came out and clarified that he had made that statement without the support of the caucus and his party.

“Cole Simons is an extremely honourable man. He said he made a mistake, he reversed his position. We stand with him.

“We must not bring back the Travel Authorisation form, nor should we have Travel Authorisation fees.

“Why not? Because we can’t put barriers up to entry into Bermuda. We desperately need to restore our tourist industry and we need more people here.”

It is understood that Mr Richardson remains near to calling for Mr Simons to go.

A source close to the deputy OBA leader told The Royal Gazette on Monday: “Jarion is very close to calling for the resignation of Cole Simons as OBA leader. Jarion is considering all his options.”