clash with party colleagues.

The reported clash came over his declaration he was confident a proposed price-hike for the Bermuda Telephone Company would be approved by the Telecommunications Commission.

The minister responsible for communications, Renee Webb refused to discuss the proposed hike, saying it would be inappropriate for her to make comments which might influence any pending decision by the Commission.

On Thursday, The Royal Gazette reported that as many as 100 staff -- a quarter of the company's 400 strong workforce -- could face the axe if the Commission failed to give the price increase the go ahead.

It is not the first time Mr. Burgess has reportedly been at loggerheads with Government. Last week he was seemingly in conflict with Public Safety Minister Paula Cox over the possibility of recruiting Police officers from overseas.

Yesterday, Mr. Burgess rapped a Royal Gazette story.

"I'm taking issue with the headline on Saturday's story about an alleged clash with the ministers.

"If you look at the story, you will be looking for a long time for a clash with me and the Minister of Telecommunications,'' he added.

Mr. Burgess said the decision to allow a rate increase -- which the company claims is needed to replace lost revenue from long distance calls -- was made entirely by the Commission.

"There is no clash there. I take exception to the headline,'' he continued.

"The minister has not even heard the commission's decision. The Minister acts on their recommendation.'' Mr. Burgess added: "The main part of the story is about saving jobs of our people. Keeping those people employed and their families protected. It puts their future in jeopardy.'' Mr. Burgess explained he was not in conflict with either minister, Ms Cox or Ms Webb, over BTC or overseas recruiting for Police.

"I am not in conflict with them,'' he said. "In fact, the Minister of Telecommunications has yet to see the recommendation of the commission.

"And regarding importing new officers, I was advising from my point of view that we don't need to,'' he added.

Mr. Burgess said he had been approached by several young people who had expressed keen interests in joining the Police Service.

He also remarked that if young people could handle the responsibility of being soldiers in the Bermuda Regiment, they could be Policemen and women.

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