she attacked a Police officer has been defended by her own assistant.

Christiane Allaire, the vice president of Centre Reinsurance, is facing calls to be sacked after pleading guilty to obstructing Police, destroying a Police uniform, using offensive words and refusing to take a breath test.

The drama flared after Ms Allaire was stopped for alleged drink-driving on Middle Road, Devonshire and punched a woman officer in the breast at Hamilton Police station on December 12.

National Liberal Party leader Charles Jeffers and Shadow Labour Minister Alex Scott have called for her to be removed from her post.

But Valerie Madeiros, Ms Allaire's assistant at Centre Solutions, faxed a letter to The Royal Gazette yesterday to defend her boss as a "caring, sensitive and brilliant human being''.

She wrote: "I feel strongly compelled to voice my disgust at the unwarranted attacks that have been levelled against her by people she has never met and cannot possibly know her well enough to form a reasonable opinion.

"Is there anyone on this Island who has never made a mistake? Of course not -- and would you wish to be hounded as Christiane has been? Of course not.

"Those people who have taken it upon themselves to be judges and executioners will never in their lifetime measure up to Christiane, who is the most caring, sensitive and brilliant human being I have been fortunate enough to work with.'' Ms Allaire, 37, of Turks Head Lane, Devonshire, was not available for comment last night.

But Board members at Centre Re have pledged to make a formal statement on her future by the end of the week.

A spokeswoman said: "We have been dealing with this matter internally and we are taking it very seriously indeed.

"We are sensitive to the concerns and her employment is on the agenda.'' Ms Allaire hit the headlines after it was revealed she accused Police of pulling her over because she was Canadian and a millionaire.

Police also claimed she used offensive, abusive and insulting language before the attack on an officer at Hamilton Central station.

She was fined $950 and banned from driving for a year.

Mr. Scott said: "This individual made her comments and still steered her way through the justice system with a smack on the wrist.

"Her work permit will obviously come up for renewal and we must ask if this is someone we wish to continue on the Island.'' Labour Minister Quinton Edness said it would be "premature'' to make a recommendation before Centre Re had a chance to discuss the matter internally.