A plan for TV debates between Premier Pamela Gordon and PLP leader Jennifer Smith was yesterday scrapped after months of wrangling.

And Ms Gordon said: "I have made the decision to take this debate and the issues that are so important to the doorsteps of Bermuda.

"The election and most importantly the position I hold as Premier are too important to allow this debate to become a debacle.'' Ms Gordon was speaking after a lunchtime deadline for agreement by the PLP to a TV studio debate on Friday night passed without a meeting of the minds over the format for a debate -- or even whether there should be one or two clashes.

She said: "I wanted the debate to be an opportunity for the people of Bermuda to soberly reflect on the important issues that we are facing.

"I wanted the people to have the opportunity to compare, think about the differences between the political parties and their leaders.'' Ms Gordon hit out after a letter offering yet another format from UBP campaign chairman Mike Winfield to his PLP opposite number Calvin Smith was rejected.

Mr. Winfield suggested one debate due to the closeness of the November 9 polling day.

He also put forward a closed TV studio format with two moderators -- Shirley Dill of VSB and Rick Richardson of the Bermuda Broadcasting Company -- as moderators.

But Mr. Smith fired back and questioned whether the UBP "ever had any intention'' of having a debate at all.

And he slammed the choice of Ms Dill -- mother of UBP Deputy Premier Jerome Dill -- as a moderator as "bizarre''.

Mrs. Dill is a respected professional with more than 30 years of experience in broadcasting in Bermuda.

She said last night: "I was unaware that I was suggested, but flattered to think that people thought I would have the integrity and impartiality to deal with this.

"But, equally, I'm disappointed that others take a different view.'' Mr. Smith's letter added: "To suggest that the second moderator should be the Bermuda Broadcasting Company is equally illogical.'' He said the PLP had complained to the Broadcasting Commission and Governor Thorold Masefield alleging "calculated subversion of the democratic electoral process by the Bermuda Broadcasting Company''.

Debate called off Mr. Smith said a report featuring the voice of Parliamentary Registrar Marlene Christopher, "a close-up picture of the UBP leader, juxtaposed with the date November 9, which was marked with a tick'' was "reprehensible''.

He added that "to do such a thing to a Civil Servant, who is required to be apolitical, is contemptuous''.

And Mr. Smith said that to do so in the period after nomination day and polling day was "reprehensible''.

But Ms Gordon said: "I'm extremely saddened by the latest letter from the PLP in response to my latest call for a debate. We've been waiting for four months since I first invited them to participate in a joint debate.'' She added: "The latest PLP response...is insulting to the good people of the media and to the Civil Servants of our Government.'' Ms Smith, however, countered that there was no reason to exclude the public from a debate -- and added she had offered one studio and one public clash as a compromise.

And she said the PLP had suggested questions from the public be submitted in writing in advance of the debate as well.

Ms Smith added: "Bermudians are not rowdies, they're not unintelligent -- the Bermuda public know how to show respect.'' She said: "I have had no fear of appearing before the public and answering questions from the Bermudian public.'' Uncertainty grows over tied election result: Page 5 Environment focus: Page 6 Voters book seats: Page 6 Housing focus: Page 7 PLP on education: Page 8 TELEVISION TV