"mean and vindictive''.

He accused the Hon. Sir John Swan of taking over a proud tradition -- the Speaker's dinner.

The meal should be hosted by Speaker the Hon. Ernest Decouto, Mr. Wade said, but Sir John was now trying to host it himself.

"Perhaps he sees the dinner as his swan song,'' Mr. Wade jibed.

Last night, however, Health Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness lashed back fiercely.

"Mr. Wade should shut up,'' Mr. Edness rapped. He added the announcements for the dinner -- which coincides with the Queen's visit -- would be made in the New Year.

"I would suggest Mr. Wade protects his credibility and not go around spreading false rumours.'' The dinner is likely to be held at the Southampton Princess some time between March 8 and 10.

Those are the days when the Queen will be here. She will attend the dinner.

Yesterday Mr. DeCouto was anxious to steer clear of any row.

"I don't wish to make any comment at this stage,'' he said.

Mr. DeCouto was recently caught up in controversy over electing the new House of Assembly Speaker.

Sir John had wanted United Bermuda Party nominee Dr. David Dyer for the post.

But several rebel Government MPs backed the Opposition in putting Mr. DeCouto in the Speaker's chair.

Mr. Wade now believes Sir John is exacting revenge by muscling in on the historic dinner.

"I think he is being mean and vindictive,'' he said, adding it had been agreed not to involve the Speaker in arrangements for the dinner. "I think it is tragic.'' He accused Sir John of breaking with a long-held tradition.

Sir John and deputy Premier the Hon. Irving Pearman were off the Island yesterday and unavailable for comment.

Mr. Edness, however, hit back hard.

"I would like to tell the people of Bermuda Sir John is not vindictive at all.

"Mr. Wade will have to wait until the announcements are made. I can assure him that whatever decision is made it will be constitutionally right. It will be done in the correct way.'' Deputy Governor Mr. John Kelly said it was normal to "subsume'' the Speaker's dinner with a banquet involving a member of the Royal family.

"I think the issue of whether the dinner is hosted by the Speaker or not is a non-issue,'' he added.