Premier Alex Scott reportedly stirred up controversy in the Cayman Islands by asking its government to pay for his extended stay there next week.

Radio Cayman reported last night that Caymans? ruling People?s Progressive Movement (PPM) party was accused of breaking protocol by paying for Mr. Scott?s cocktail parties at Caymans Government House before he toured the island.

But the Leader of Government Business Kurt Tibbetts ? who fills a position like Bermuda?s Premier ? said he could not refuse Mr. Scott after the Bermuda Regiment flew down to help Cayman after Hurricane Ivan hit it in October 2004.

?Mr. Tibbetts said that it was at Mr. Scott?s request that he stay on and tour some of the districts to see the progress made after Hurricane Ivan,? Radio Cayman reported. ?Given that the Bermuda Regiment assisted the RCIP after Ivan and helped clear debris, there?s no way the PPM could refuse him.?

Mr. Scott was invited to speak at a PPM party conference on Saturday, February 18. However, Mr. Scott reportedly asked to stay until Wednesday February 22.

?The controversy is over news that after Mr. Scott speaks at the PPM party conference on Saturday he will stay on in Cayman for some official visits and receptions ? including a cocktail party at the Governor?s House,? Radio Cayman reported last night. ?Opposition leader McKeeva Bush says this is breaching protocol because the visit was changed at the last minute and hailed as an official one.?

Cayman?s opposition leader said that during Mr. Scott?s stay a breakfast meeting hosted by the Speaker of the House had been arranged and that he would be taken on some official tours of the districts.

Mr. Bush said although Mr. Scott?s visit had nothing to do with the Governor and was purely political, Mr. Tibbetts had made a request to the Cayman Governor to host the cocktail reception, it said.

Cayman opposition member Rolston Anglin had no problem with any party inviting other politicians or dignitaries to speak at their conferences, Radio Cayman reported, however, he queried who would pay for the visit.

However, Mr. Tibbetts was reported as saying Mr. Scott?s bill was being picked up by the PPM as Mr. Scott?s visit was good for ?regional co-operation?.

Mr. Scott could not be reached for comment last night.