House of Assembly.

The ex-Olympic Club owner has been reported as mulling over the possibility of standing as an Independent candidate in the Paget West by-election.

But yesterday Mr. Jones, 35, declined to discuss if he was considering entering the political race.

He said: "I'm not prepared to make any comment on this at present.'' But -- if he chose to run -- he could cause even more confusion in the seat, where UBP rebels are already considering standing against the official party candidate, Sen. Patricia Gordon Pamplin.

Ex-party deputy chairman David Sullivan has already dropped heavy hints that he might stand as an Independent.

And confusion among voters could leave PLP candidate George Scott free to slip into the House of Assembly up the middle.

Mr. Sullivan is understood to be angry at what some in the party saw the "tearing up'' of the UBP constitution to railroad Mrs. Gordon Pamplin into the frame. Mrs. Gordon Pamplin beat ex-Pembroke West Central MP and Paget resident Ann Cartwright DeCouto by 35 votes to 21 in a marathon two hour constituency meeting last week.

Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto has already shot down suggestions she might stand as an Independent UBP candidate in the March 31 by-election.

The vacancy was caused by the tragic death last month of sitting MP Madeline Joell, 39, who only won the seat formerly held by Harry Soares at the General Election last November.

But the row over the selection of Mrs. Gordon Pamplin to fight the seat against PLP candidate George Scott was shrugged off by branch chairman Michael Smith.

He insisted: "Despite the continuing reports of dissatisfaction among Paget West voters, Sen. Gordon Pamplin has received very few negative comments.'' Mr. Smith admitted a poll run by UBP MP Trevor Moniz showed support for Mrs.

Cartwright DeCouto.

But he said that Mrs. Gordon Pamplin's name had not been included in the list of potential candidates.

He added: "It was obvious from the outcome of the ballot at the special general meeting that constituents believe change is required.'' And Mr. Smith said that party veteran Sir John Plowman supported the candidate.