news story about the firing of a Royal Gazette reporter.

The story said the Council and the newspaper's board of directors had become involved in the firing of Mr. Reggie Semos and that the newspaper's editor had threatened to resign over it.

But in a statement released yesterday, Mr. Malcolm Dixon, executive director of the Employer's Council, said the news report "implicating the Bermuda Employers Council over the firing of Mr. Reggie Semos by The Royal Gazette is completely false, untrue and irresponsible reporting.

"Neither myself or any other executive member of the Council has been asked to, or has made a statement to VSB Radio or any of the media on this matter which is between Mr. Semos and The Gazette. '' Mr. Keith Jensen, the newspaper's general manager, said he was looking into the matter. He said he met yesterday morning with Mr. Semos "as I would do normally in any similar situation and I will be getting back to him.'' Mr. Jensen also said the VSB report was wrong in stating the newspaper's board of directors were involved or that management action would be taken against an employee who left the office for a doughnut.

Editor Mr. David L. White said: "In my view, this is a wild and exaggerated VSB story which is bound to mislead the public.

"The truth is that it's not worthy of comment. This is not the first time VSB has invented my resignation. They must have had a lazy day.''