demanded a public apology from Government backbencher Stanley Morton.

Both David Middleton and Rick Meens, who hosted Miss Middleton during her fateful holiday in 1996, have slammed the MP for remarks he made about Mr.

Meens in the House of Assembly on Friday.

They described Mr. Morton as a loose cannon and a "lunatic''.

But last night Mr. Morton -- who sparked Opposition protests after his remarks in the House on Friday -- was unrepentant.

He said: "I have no comment -- he can do what he likes and I have nothing to say to the Press nor to him.'' But Mr. Morton added: "That guy is rude and insulting -- you're telling me all that nonsense about me and he wants an apology.

"I wouldn't belittle myself -- I'll make comment when it's appropriate.'' Mr. Morton ignited a fire of protest -- which already dogged the Government late last year -- after he claimed that the host of Miss Middleton should have been chaperoning the girls all the time.

And during Friday's House of Assembly session, he suggested that hosts should be "responsible to see that a person is protected all the way'' and made remarks about Ms Middleton's actions on the night she was raped and murdered.

Immediately Mr. Morton incurred the wrath of UBP MP John Barritt and yesterday Rick Meens -- who is to write to Premier Jennifer Smith and Opposition Leader Pamela Gordon about the statement -- spoke of his fury at the outburst.

"This man owes me a public apology. He has insulted me, the Middletons and Becky,'' he said. "We have done everything in our power to hold our tongues and then you get lunatics like this.

"When I saw his comments my jaw hit my chest, I couldn't believe it. I knew things like this would happen but where it came from I did not expect.'' Mr. Meens called Mr. Morton to express his disappointment at the comments and Mr. Middleton, speaking from Canada, said he should retract his remarks.

Mr. Middleton said it was worrying that someone in the legislature should say such things but added he didn't think it was representative of the PLP and believed that Premier Smith and Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox would not share his opinions.

"He should retract what he said and rethink it, then if he still believes it, the people of Bermuda should take a look at this man -- is this someone you want in Government?'' Mr. Meens added: "I was insulted that this man could even think such a thing.

I told him I was going to direct a letter to the Premier and he said `go ahead'.

"All he kept saying was "is that it?'', he wouldn't answer my questions.

"It is comments like that from people in his position that compel people to set up these websites.'' Meens hits back He also stressed that Rebecca and his daughter, Jasmine, were not permitted to drink and that he had driven the pair all over the Island during the holiday because of his concerns over safety.

"Does this man think for one minute that we have not been through the grinder over this, do I feel responsible? Of course I do, she came to stay with me, who wouldn't feel responsible?'' Rick Meens thanked Mr. Barritt for his comments immediately after Mr. Morton had spoken.

"There is a logical thinking man, he stood up and spoke out on what he felt was right.'' Both Mr. Meens and David Middleton were united in the belief that Mr. Morton's thoughts were not representative of the Bermudian people -- who they said were as concerned about the tragedy as they were.

ANGRY -- David Middleton, left, and Rick Meens, right, want an apology from MP Stanley Morton.

Graphic file name: MIDMEEN MURDER MUR