Smith's constituency started over a bid to deny Sen. Terry Lister a top job, an insider claimed yesterday.

The St. George's North insider yesterday insisted that former top Finance Ministry official Deleay Robinson was picked over local party stalwart Kenny Bascome to block ex-finance firm chief Sen. Terry Lister from a clear run at Minister of Finance in any future PLP Government.

The insider said: "One of the objects of putting Deleay in there was not only to stymie Kenny but also to ensure down the road that, instead of Terry being given the Finance Minister's post, Deleay will get it.

"Terry was the heir apparent to Eugene Cox as Shadow Minister -- but it doesn't appear that way now.'' And he added: "It ill-serves not only the process, but also the Bermuda people, notwithstanding Deleay's background in that area.'' Now Mr. Bascome is set to challenge the PLP slate in the seat by standing as an Independent.

Sen. Lister is set to succeed Walter Roberts as one of the two MPs for the safe seat of Sandys South.

But he is understood to have fallen out of favour as far back as 1994, when he was poised to challenge the late Frederick Wade for the leader's job.

Sen. Lister backed down in the interests of party unity, but could always opt to come back for another shot at the top job.

And a top post for Sen. Lister would strengthen his hand for a tilt at Ms Smith at the party's biennial elections, usually held in November, or at some point in the future, whether the PLP form the next Government or not.

According to the insider, Mr. Bascome -- understood to feel he was instrumental in getting Ms Smith elected after several bids in St. George's North -- was prepared to step aside when the late Leon (Jimmy) Williams was selected to stand with Ms Smith in the 1993 General Election on the understanding he would be considered in the future.

And the PLP mole claimed that Ms Smith rejected a bid to bring her and Mr.

Bascome together in private -- with a recommendation he should be offered a seat on a Government board or in Senate as a sweetener.

The insider said: "She refused to meet in private -- after that, in Kenny's opinion, it was too late.'' The Royal Gazette reported this week that ex-PLP MP Trevor Woolridge, in a letter to the Editor, gave a version of the party meeting in St. George's which claimed Mr. Bascome snubbed an attempt to rebuild bridges by Ms Smith.

But the insider said: "Even if she did try to offer and apology, he already had his letter of resignation in his pocket.'' And he added: "It confirms that, by her attempt at an apology, that the process could have been handled better.'' The insider claimed that Arthur Pitcher, a candidate in neighbouring St.

George's South, was not even notified of the meeting.

And he said: "Obviously, the leader, realising Kenny did pose a legitimate threat, set the guy up among her cronies and came in to make some sort of apology.'' Ms Smith did not return a call from The Royal Gazette yesterday.