denied yesterday that he was leaving on medical grounds.

"I wish to make it abundantly clear that I am not, repeat not, contemplating any form of retirement on medical grounds, nor has the Commissioner ever indicated his desire that I should do so,'' Supt. George Rose said in a news release.

"Reports of this nature are totally unfounded and should cease forthwith,'' he said.

"I continue to have charge of more than one ongoing criminal investigation of a long-term nature and hope to be able to conclude those matters in the fullness of time.'' Supt. Rose and Assistant Commissioner Mr. Wayne Perinchief have been told their jobs have been made redundant as a result of the force restructuring.

Both have reportedly sought legal advice.

Although Mr. Rose is white and Mr. Perinchief is black, Shadow Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Alex Scott has said he believed racism was behind the decision as to who would leave.

On Sunday, Mr. Scott said the Progressive Labour Party would be championing Mr. Rose's case as well as Mr. Perinchief's, if not for the fact Mr.

Rose was leaving on medical grounds.

Yesterday, Mr. Scott said he had stated the view previously that Mr. Rose was leaving on medical grounds, and nobody had contradicted him until yesterday.

Regardless of whether that was true, Mr. Perinchief's case was more serious, because he was the only senior officer "within striking distance'' of the Commissioner's job, Mr. Scott said.

Police officers normally must hold a post for two years before they are promoted to the next rank, he said.

"Remove Mr. Perinchief and you actually leave Commissioner Mr. (Colin) Coxall almost being required to stay here until someone is going to be pushed up through the ranks quicker than the Police rules allow,'' he said.

Mr. Scott and Mr. Edness are set to meet tomorrow to discuss the controversy.