Bermuda Public Services Union head Ed Ball is warning civil servants not to break the rules on staying out of politics if they don't want to risk the sack.

He said a PLP candidate had recently publicly named Government employees as being among his doorstep campaigners.

But Mr. Ball said Bermuda still had strict rules on civil servants not getting politically involved.

He told The Royal Gazette: "There is a possibility they could jeopardise their job because of the current election regulations pertaining to civil servants."

Head of the Civil Service Ken Dill said he had not heard complaints about anyone bending the rules although he said he had warned Melvin Dickinson, Director of the National Office for Seniors and the Physically Disabled, that he would have to choose between politics or his job after Dr. Dickinson won the nomination to stand for the PLP in Warwick West.

Dr. Dickinson chose his job and withdrew his interest in the seat.

Mr. Dill added: "On an ongoing basis I raise the matter at the civil service executive and urge people to be vigilant." One source said in the 1980s the Government had threatened several Government workers with the sack after accusing them of backing the Progressive Labour Party.

But its claimed the move backfired when it was argued there were others in the civil service who were clearly aligned with the ruling United Bermuda Party. Guidelines published before the last election warned civil servants that they should maintain a low profile during general elections to avoid being tainted with political affiliation.

It said: "Officers should not undertake any activity that could call into question their political impartiality."

It warned that civil servants should not express opinions about any party in letters or articles, make political speeches or hold office in any party. Those ignoring the rules face disciplinary action or the sack said Mr. Ball.

And if civil servants want to run for office they must first resign their job. Teachers and school admin. staff, however, can run for office without resigning. They must take a leave of absence during the campaign and if elected must choose between their teaching job or politics.

Former school Principal Dale Butler, who is now a Cabinet Minister, called for the rule barring teachers from also serving as MPs to be abolished.

He said: "You could be a lawyer or a doctor running. Why pick on teachers?

"It is discouraging people at the moment, it's a really worry."

Mr. Butler said the rule had been created as an anti-PLP move because of the party's support among teachers.

Asked why it had not been changed since the party took power he said: "We cannot do every single thing. It would be seen as just taking care of our own interests. It is not in the top 50 things to do but it might come up next time around."

Mr. Butler stood for the PLP in the early 1980s and resumed his job after his unsuccessful bid. In 1998 he tried again and took a ditch digging job during the campaign.

"I had no salary for weeks." In Britain industrial and non-office grade civil servants can throw themselves into politics while top civil servants are completely barred. However those in the categories in between can campaign for political parties if they have permission from their department head.

But every category of British civil servant must resign their job to run for parliament.