A question mark hung over the future of Clifton yesterday after the Premier indicated that Cabinet no longer considers it to be designated as the official residence of the leader of the country.

The Opposition has labelled the empty home as a drain on the taxpayers' pocket, and called for it to be put to some useful function – whether that be housing the leader of the country or something else

More than $1.5 million of renovation work was done on the four-bedroom residence so Alex Scott could live in it when he was Premier.

This newspaper quoted Mr. Scott in 2004 as saying that he was happy at his own home, but would move into Clifton "reluctantly" after Cabinet suggested that the former official residence of the Chief Justice should become the official residence of the Premier.

After months of renovation work, Mr. Scott and his family lived in the property for just the last few months of his tenure, and he moved out in early 2007 after losing the leadership of the PLPto Dr. Ewart Brown.

The sprawling property has lain empty since, as Dr. Brown chose to remain at his private home in Smith's and efforts to rent it have apparently come to nothing.

Clifton is currently at the centre of controversial plans to build a parking lot in the grounds for the neighbouring US Consulate.

A big section of the lawn was dug up by Works and Engineering after permission was granted without Government first carrying out consultation.

Mr. Scott subsequently objected to the plans, meaning they were placed on hold and will have to be considered by the Development Applications Board. Mr. Scott called on Monday for Clifton to become a protected site to prevent any repeat action.

In a statement on Wednesday evening, Dr. Brown said: "Cabinet has decided there should be no designation of Clifton as the official residence of the Premier. Cabinet has also examined the parking issue and decided work on the parking spaces at Clifton shall resume as soon as the relevant Ministry has given the green light.

"Questions to his Press Secretary Glenn Jones yesterday about whether future Premiers will still be able to live in Clifton, and what Government plans to do with the property in future, went unanswered.However, Shadow Minister of the Environmental Cole Simons said:"We want to know what's going on.

This is an asset owned by the Government and the people of this country. An asset that's not being utilised. "They spent $1.5 million to improve the property. That's dead money at the moment.

It could be rented out or used as something like a school, as a home for senior ministers of Government, it can be more productive instead of just sitting there."Mr. Scott said:"If the next Premier of Bermuda is from the PLP it could be in the next few years or another few months.

Will that individual have a private residence that is satisfactory for the home of the Premier of the country? Most nations have an official residence where the Premier can greet and carry out the social functions of his office."