The Government's new PR guru Alex Scott last night admitted to breaking protocol by penning and releasing a controversial statement from the Premier without showing it to her.

The statement, which appeared to insult outgoing Governor Thorold Masefield by saying his successor would be a refreshing change, led to an embarrassing clarification last night.

Mr. Masefield was said to be "not amused" by the implied slight from the Premier, although the Governor's Office has so far refused to comment on the matter.

But last night Works and Engineering Minster Mr. Scott, who is currently acting Finance Minister, admitted that the Premier had not made the comment, nor had she seen it.

Mr. Scott, who was appointed chairman of a top level communications committee in June, effectively making him communications guru to the Cabinet, said: "I think it could have been done better."

He said he did not know what the Premier's reaction had been to the gaffe as he had been on the move throughout yesterday.

Earlier, when asked about his new PR role, he had said: "I'm just helping.

"The Premier asked me to chair the communications committee and in that regard I'm bringing my years of public relations experience to assist my Cabinet colleagues."

But last night Mr. Scott admitted he had a bad day on Wednesday in his new PR role.

He said: "I would be the first to admit it could have been handled better. My apologies to the Premier and the Governor."

He said the normal practice was for statements to be approved by those purporting to be making them.

"I don't think the protocol was followed here. The Premier didn't see it. I think the Premier was badly served."

He said he had not intended to insult the outgoing Governor.

Last night Opposition leader Pamela Gordon said: "It's a shocking revelation if a Minister of the Government admits he issued a press release quoting the Premier when he never spoke to the Premier.

"If he did it without her approval he should be fired or he should resign. It's a very serious thing. It's misleading the public. It's basically lying."

Ms Gordon said Ms Smith was to blame if she was happy to let Ministers put words into her mouth on important subjects without checking to see what was being said in her name. She questioned whether the Premier had lost interest in the job and was more interested in socialising and travel.

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