?It was a private party and Mr. Johnson was not invited.?

That?s according to the ?friends? of former journalist Ayo Johnson, who last week complained that he had been denied entry to the VIP lounge of a new nightclub ? while the friends he was with, were allowed in.

Mr. Johnson told in a detailed e-mail that all his friends were allowed into the VIP lounge, but he was denied entry without any explanation.

Mr. Johnson claimed a bouncer had hold him the owner only ?allowed certain types of people? in that part of the club, but would not elaborate as to what he meant by that statement.

Since the article appeared, the report had received a fair amount of comment on the web-site ?Limey in Bermuda?.

It has also led to numerous letters to the editor, including a letter from the host of the party in the VIP lounge on the night in question.

In a letter published on Page 4 of today?s , Alex Smith wrote that he had booked a table in the VIP lounge to celebrate the visit of friends to the Island.

He said he had been given a number of bracelets, which he distributed to his invited friends.

Mr. Smith added that he too had been denied admission to that room on previous occasions for both dress and number considerations.

?Not only is that reasonable and understandable, it should be expected,? he wrote.

Prior to the report being published Kim Wheddon from ZBM had been contacted, but Mr. Johnson refused to remove her name, or the other two names from his account of the incident and Ms Wheddon chose not to comment.

Another anonymous letter was sent to the newspaper by someone who had been in the nightclub on the night in question.

He stated that his girlfriend, whom he described as ?white, almost six feet tall, blond hair, blue eyes and curves like Harbour Road? was also denied access to the VIP lounge.

But, he wrote, instead of ?pouting? she brushed off the incident and had a great time.

He added that perhaps the door man noticed that Mr. Johnson ?was not a very happy person and as a result, he would not contribute to a good time in that section of the club?.

He continued that judging by Mr. Johnson?s ?name dropping of innocent people that he saw that night and his completely reckless use of the race card, perhaps the door man was a pretty good judge of character?.

Mr. Johnson said yesterday that at no time was he told by management or the security/bouncer that the reason for refusing entry into the room for him was because the room was booked for a party.

?I was aware that space had been reserved for a party in that room,? he said, but added that as Mr. Smith?s letter states, a table was booked in the room for the party.

?At no time was I told by management or the security/bouncer that the reason for refusing admission was that the entire room was booked,? he said.

?Why could Square One not give either myself or the that simple explanation ? if that indeed was the case??

Writing on the ?Limey in Bermuda? website, Mr. Johnson added: ?I?m explaining this because it looks like the story is heading the way of a credibility contest between people who once considered themselves friends.

?Kim Wheddon and I had a fundamental difference of opinion over my decision on how to address our experience at Square One.

Frankly, if I had known how deeply wounded she (and Jon Legere) would feel afterward, I would probably have done things differently.

I have already apologised to Jon for not informing him beforehand that I had contacted the newspaper, and I had also offered to make a public statement (following anything he said publicly) that would help repair what he said was damage to his reputation caused by the story.

?Kim was informed and I expected her to give the daily her own full version of what happened, but she decided not to ? partly, or mainly, because she wanted to protect her privacy.

?To explain and clarify all the events of that night now would mean dragging her name through the glare of publicity again. And knowing how painful it has been for her, I?d rather have a chat with her first so we can attempt to resolve our differences and I can explain my original intentions. Needless to say she?s not returning my phone calls.

So it is beginning to look as if I?ve lost my star witness.I simply hope that her anger at me, and her and Jon?s perceived need to do all they can to protect their reputations, is not going to translate into a campaign to revise history and discredit me.

That would be quite tragic ? considering that these are quite young people who have a lot to gain by developing a reputation of integrity, despite the occasional discomfort that path entails.

I already see signs of such a campaign, and am hoping and praying that my friends are not leading it because I?m still hopeful that everything (our friendships and some meaningful discussion about personal responsibility) can be salvaged to everyone?s satisfaction if we just talk for a while.

?But if it does come to that, expect a very robust, no holds barred defence from my corner. So bring it on, if you must. Send your letters to the Editor, form alliances and give it your best shot.?