partly to blame for an extraordinary courtroom row with Magistrate Edward King has been described as "farcical'' by legal sources.

Bermuda Bar Association president Richard Hector told The Royal Gazette last week that Mr. Justice Ward had told him that Mr. Mussenden may shoulder some of the blame for the row.

Mr. Mussenden went to Hamilton Police Station accompanied by Police officers in October after a heated verbal confrontation with Mr. King.

Mr. King denied ordering the lawyer to be taken to the Police station in handcuffs, but he did admit to calling him a coward.

Mr. Mussenden is understood to be considering suing the controversial magistrate for wrongful arrest as a result of the incident.

The Bar Association said at the time lawyers were "up in arms'' about Mr.

King's behaviour, and Acting Director of Public Prosecutions William Pearce made a formal complaint to Mr. Justice Ward and demanded disciplinary action.

In a statement to The Royal Gazette in December, Mr. Justice Ward said: "I have spoken to Mr. King about the incident. The problem has been identified and corrected.

"I consider it most unlikely that there will be a recurrence. I now consider the matter closed.'' Legal sources expressed surprise when Mr. Hector said the Chief Justice told him he thought Mr. Mussenden may have played a part.

One source said: "It is farcical. In his press statement, the Chief Justice identified that there had been a problem and everyone read that to be Mr. King as the problem.

"But now he is saying Larry may have contributed to that. The magistrate is the person responsible for what happened in court.

"It all happened after Mr. King called Mr. Mussenden a coward. All participants in a court have healthy exchanges, but when you resort to name calling, no lawyer worth his salt will stay in court when that happens.

"Calling people cowards should be reserved for the playground. He should be disciplined for that.'' Mr. Mussenden could not be contacted for comment yesterday.