Now the maverick MP will have the Opposition Whip withdrawn without a time-limit -- although he remains a party member.

It is understood the shock move came after party chiefs finally lost patience with Mr. Moniz -- a long-time thorn in the side of the UBP hierarchy.

Mr. Moniz broke the party line over the McDonald's fast food row in the last Parliament and helped push through an Act banning franchise food in Bermuda.

And his private members' bill to create a register of interests for MPs -- including directorships and shareholdings -- was also thought to be unpopular.

He was called to a meeting with party bosses yesterday -- including Opposition Leader Pamela Gordon -- and later was called to be told the party whip had been withdrawn.

But yesterday both party and Mr. Moniz were staying tight-lipped over the suspension.

Ms Gordon said: "This is an internal matter and we have no comment on this issue at the moment.

She added: "He has not been officially notified -- I'm quite prepared to deal with it after that.'' When contacted at his law offices yesterday, Mr. Moniz also declined to comment on being left out in the cold.

But it is believed the party moved to push Mr. Moniz out on the grounds that he has failed to attend party meetings and the weekly caucus -- as well as for following an independent line in Parliament.

UBP leaders are already considering changes to the party constitution on the adoption of candidates -- with a possible end to branches picking from the list of approved candidates and central office nominating candidates to constituencies.

And suspending Mr. Moniz means the party could use a new system to adopt another official candidate for Mr. Moniz' Smith's South seat -- even while Mr.

Moniz remains a sitting MP.

But Mr. Moniz -- understood to still have the support of his branch -- could opt to resign from the party and sit as an Independent.

Mr. Moniz was one of the rebel five who took a stand against the Independence Referendum held by Sir John Swan in 1995 -- which showed a massive majority against going it alone and consigned Sir John to the back benches.

The same group went on the offensive when Sir John's Grape Bay Ltd was awarded a McDonald's franchise in 1996 -- and voted with the then-Progressive Labour Party Opposition to pass the Prohibited Restaurants Act.

Mr. Moniz -- who is thought to have turned down the Telecommunications portfolio -- is the only one of the 14 UBP MPs not to hold a Shadow Ministry.

But, according to a party source, Mr. Moniz still has the support of his constituency branch.

Suspended: Trevor Moniz