DNA MONTAGU candidate Ben Albury is asking the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader why they have "backtracked" on comments they made concerning oil.

Mr Albury claimed yesterday at his party's headquarters that both Hubert Ingraham and Perry Christie have "irregularities" in their stances.

"After raising questions some months ago regarding oil exploration in The Bahamas, I find myself very concerned with the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition who have begun pointing fingers in the final days before the election," he said.

"I believe they are more concerned about votes than the actual truth and the best interests of the Bahamian people. Why have both leaders backtracked from previous statements on oil?"

Mr Albury said it was "only one day" after Bahamas Petroleum Company stocks dropped 40 per cent that Mr Christie "pledged his allegiance" to BPC as a company that "benefits from his expert council."

"The next day after public outrage he retracts his statement and says he has ended his consultation. Will Christie resume his consulting and lobbying responsibility to BPC once there are no votes on the line?" Mr Albury asked.

He continued: "Christie said he would not allow oil drilling in the Bahamas without a referendum, but BPC has declared with his expert counsel that they would begin drilling in less than one year. Is Perry Christie lying to the Bahamian people or lying to his client, BPC, that has benefited from his counsel?"

Mr Albury also claimed that two years ago BPC released permits signed by Environment Ministers Phenton Neymour and Earl Deveaux, "both appointed and accountable" to Mr Ingraham.

"Weeks ago, Hubert Ingraham declared that there would be no oil drilling until proper studies were conducted," he said. "A week later the Ingraham administration renewed BPC's oil exploration permits."

It was that same day, Mr Albury continued, that Mr Ingraham declared the approval had been reversed and $300,000 would be returned to BPC.

"What is Ingraham's true position on exploration and is everything he has said thus far a result of public opinion and oncoming election?" he asked. "And also I would like to bring questions to Liberty Oil. Are they affiliated with BPC? Are they going to help to drill with BPC?"