filed against him.

The notice, which was registered in the Supreme Court yesterday afternoon, was taken by the Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son. It cites the bank as a creditor of Mr. Hall's.

But Mr. Hall said: "How the hell does the bank expect me to pay if they make me bankrupt?'' He believes that the action has been taken to discredit him in his profession as a lawyer and prevent him from being re-elected as an MP at the next election.

Last night, bank lawyer Mr. David Addington said the bankruptcy notice had been issued on behalf of the bank which is a "judgement creditor of Mr.

Hall's.

"It is inappropriate for us to comment further at this time and until Mr.

Hall has been served with the notice.'' The notice is believed to stem from a court judgement awarding the bank $108,125. In August the bank sued for the money. Lawyers for the bank are Appleby, Spurling and Kempe.

Mr. Hall said: "The history is that I had a debt to the Bank of Butterfield which was being serviced and had been guaranteed.

"A few months ago the bank said it no longer wanted my guarantor and called on me to provide another one. They sued me for the debt and I conceded the judgement.'' Mr. Hall said the action was taken even though the money owed was still being serviced.

Regarding the bankruptcy proceedings, Mr. Hall said he had not yet received the notice and his only knowledge of the action was what he had been told from news reports.

He said: "If they are successful in their petition for bankruptcy it would be difficult for me to practice law and difficult to run for re-election. That's what the bank and its political cronies want.

"My business is not unlike just about every other business in the country. It is running through difficult times in terms of cash flow. And all this will not make business any better.'' Mr. Hall also attacked The Royal Gazette for publishing stories about his business difficulties.

He said: "I believe that dribbling all these stories out about me is an attempt to discredit me. I do not see why I should speak to The Royal Gazette about my private business.''