A bid to get Government Ministers champagne-style first class travel with upgrades from economy class has been launched, The Royal Gazette can reveal.

And last night Shadow Transport Minister Erwin Adderley blasted the request: "It's tacky and bad manners to ask such a thing.'' Mr. Adderley declined to offer advice to airlines on how to respond to the Government request, but added: "It smacks of arm-twisting -- and I wouldn't stand for that myself.

"Airlines are run by grown-up people and they have the right to make their own decisions -- but I know what I would do in their position.'' The Royal Gazette understands that a letter from the Ministry of Transport was written at the request of Minister Ewart Brown, asking airlines to provide routine upgrades to Government Ministers.

Dr. Brown was yesterday off the Island and unavailable for comment. He is not expected to return until later this week.

And Transport Ministry Permanent Secretary Herman Tucker was staying tight-lipped over the fresh travel controversy to hit Government.

He declined to confirm a letter had been sent and refused to comment further.

Mr. Tucker said: "You will have to talk to the Minister about this. He is off the Island at the moment.'' Airlines were also steering well clear of the storm surrounding the request.

Delta Air Lines local general manager Jackie Zuill said she was not aware of any Government letter being received by her company -- and added any such letter might have gone to Delta's US head office.

And Philip Troake, local general manager of British Airways, also refused to comment on whether his airline had been contacted.

But an industry insider said the letter was the talk of the major carriers.

The insider said many airlines would offer an upgrade to VIPs as courtesy -- but would resent being asked.

The source added: "I've never heard of such a thing. No airline would like to be put in that position. Such decisions are made at our discretion.'' Mr. Adderley said: "The fact is it's the normal practice of the airlines, if they have available space, they will upgrade Bermuda dignitaries, whether they're civil servants, MPs or Cabinet Ministers. But it's their choice.

"But it would appear now that they may feel they don't have a choice and they're being asked to do it as a matter of routine.

Transport Minister accused of first-class arm twisting "They may feel pressured -- even if there is someone else travelling who they would have liked to have upgraded.'' And referring to the row in Government's first weeks of office, when Premier Jennifer Smith said businesses which ignored the January holiday to celebrate the Progressive Labour Party's victory would do so "at their peril'', Mr.

Adderley said: "It smacks of `at your peril' once again.

"It's saying if you don't do what I ask, you may end up suffering the consequences -- it's totally wrong.'' He added: "I do not agree with this request and I'm certain that a civil servant would not take that position without having instructions to do so.

"It would appear that the Civil Service has been used to fire a political gun -- which is totally wrong as well.'' And Mr. Adderley said: "I don't think my Government would have done such a thing.

"It doesn't mean that if a seat was offered, they wouldn't take it. But it's tacky and bad manners to ask.'' AIRLINES FLY