It's a 15-round fight and it's not over yet that's the view of Government MPs trying to oust Premier Ewart Brown.

Wednesday night's crucial meeting of Progressive Labour Party MPs and Senators saw Dr. Brown emerge still in charge.

But his critics claim efforts to force a vote on the issue were strenuously resisted by the Premier's supporters, indicating possible weakness.

And it is likely angry backbenchers will now take up the fight in Parliament in a bid to unseat a Premier they believe is vindictive, embarrassing and a threat to democracy.

There is growing concern about the attempt by the Premier to fire Bermuda's top civil servant Kenneth Dill. The move saw around nine permanent secretaries fire off a letter in support of Maj. Dill a step described as 'unprecedented' by one MP.

One source said it was clear that despite getting the Cabinet to sign a loyalty oath via David Burch, Dr. Brown still didn't trust his Ministers to toe the line in a secret ballot on his leadership.

The source added: "The logical next step is the fracas will move to the House of Assembly, and that is a question of whether or not Dr. Brown will be able to move his legislation, because of lack of numbers.

"Then he faces the high probability of a no-confidence vote which could lead to [the revoking] of his appointment by the Governor which doesn't necessarily lead to a General Election, because there is another step before that or being pressured, because of the threat of that, of having to endure a special delegates' conference for which he will have to put his story before about 100 delegates.

"We consider last night to be only another round in a 15-round bout."

It is not thought the Premier will face trouble today with the opening of the summer session in the House.

While the Gaming Act, which aims to allow cruise ships to open casinos in port, is on the order paper again after suffering a reverse when it was savaged by the PLP backbench in the last session, it will not be debated until Cabinet gives the go-ahead.

And the Merchant Shipping Act 2009 is unlikely to spark any fireworks.

Yesterday PLP spokesman Wentworth Christopher issued a statement which said: "Contrary to speculation and some press reports, a vote on leadership by members was never scheduled or anticipated.

He said according to the PLP Constitution, the authority to select or remove the PLP leader is given to PLP delegates.

"The PLP is pleased to state that the Parliamentary Group conducted a very healthy discussion on leadership," said Mr. Christopher.

"As expected, the PLP is strong and cohesive enough in spirit and objective to withstand any discussion or even disagreement amongst its members and elected officials.

"The Parliamentary Group remains united behind the leadership of our Premier, Dr. the Honourable Ewart F. Brown, and remains committed to working together to serve the people of Bermuda."

In the ring for the Premier were Walter Roban, Jennifer Smith, Glenn Blakeney, Kim Wilson, David Burch, Walton Brown and Marc Bean, in blocking a motion on Dr. Brown's Premiership, according to insiders.

Some Cabinet Ministers kept their head down during the lengthy meeting which lasted until late into the night, but other MPs did not hold back said one insider.

"Dr Brown was told in no uncertain terms that he was vindicative, he had created a very bad image for the Party and the Country."

On their feet were Randy Horton, Wayne Perinchief and former Premier Alex Scott as well as other backbenchers.

The point was made that the PLP would now be blamed for the Premier's image which could harm its electoral chances.

"He's become a very disturbing liability," said the source.

But the question remains on who could replace him, with some Ministers said to be privately critical of Dr. Brown but unable to deliver on the night.

"There was a lot of trembling in the room on that issue. Lots of people have looked at Paula Cox, some have crudely put it that she is a 'gutless wonder'.

"When it comes down to hard choices she is found wanting. People want to be led from the front. Several people have said what she is seeking is to put her soldiers in the field, if it works out well she will step forward, if it doesn't she will remain hiding.

"They do look at it as she's awaiting a coronation rather than leading the troops to victory."

Reformers are feeling a sense of impatience and even disgust for Jennifer Smith and Walter Roban who argued it would be unconstitutional to remove a leader by a caucus vote.

The anti-Brown faction argue the Premier had promised to go if 12 MPs told him his time was up and then the leadership issues would be taken to a conference of PLP delegates.

And the suspicion is that Dame Jennifer has been promised the Speakership by Dr. Brown, which would make her the first female Speaker of the House, when Stanley Lowe retires.

However there was doubt about how that deal could be delivered given the division in the PLP ranks.

In 1993 the United Bermuda Party caucus chose Dr. David Dyer as the next Speaker but rebel UBP MPs joined the Progressive Labour Party in electing Ernest DeCouto in an unprecedented secret ballot.