It emerged yesterday that Sir John was sent a letter when he accepted the guest speaker invitation from the Rotarians reminding him not to touch on politics during his talk.

Sir John, an honorary member of the business group, told his secretary dealt with that letter and he did not look at the detail.

He apologised if he had unwittingly broken Rotary protocol, but added he hoped his high-profile views would prove a "worthwhile contribution to the affairs of the country".

His comments came after Jeff Sousa, president of the Hamilton Rotary Club, stressed the club was not a political organisation.

Mr. Sousa did not directly criticise Sir John for making the speech, or comment on the content of it.

But in a clear signal that Rotarians were unhappy at being dragged into a fresh bout of political mudslinging, he said: "Sir John put out a private, personal point of view and he got the coverage he wanted. But we do not want speeches to be political. That advice was ignored."

The president said that the organisation did not proof read speeches before they were read, but he said the club did ask for a general synopsis giving an overview of any guest speech.

He told the synopsis provided by Sir John ? titled "Individual and Institutional Initiative" ? gave no warning of the political timebomb about to explode.

Mr. Sousa added: "Our membership represents a cross section of business and professional leaders in Bermuda. We are non-political and open to all races, cultures and creeds."

He said the club, formed 81 years ago, contained representatives from both major political parties, with a PLP senator and the chair of the UBP directors.

"When we invite people to our club, one of the things we do is provide a public platform for speakers on an informative business and community issues.

"Once they accept, we send them a letter that thanks them and tells them about the media interest there will be in their speech. The only topic we would ask them to avoid is making a political speech. We do not want that."

Sir John, responding to Mr. Sousa's comments, said: "If I have offended the club, I will apologise."

The ex-UBP leader, who also criticised his former party in the hard-hitting speech, said that he was long-standing member of the Rotary Club and had never had his views restricted before. "It never occurred to me that politics was not allowed," he added.