Cabinet Minister and Government PR guru Alex Scott yesterday denied he had fabricated a controversial quote released as coming from the Premier.

But the Works and Engineering Minister again admitted the press release quote, which is said to have upset outgoing Governor Thorold Masefield, had not been approved by the Premier before being given to the media and that it had been misleading.

Mr. Scott said he had authored the original press release which quoted the Premier as saying of the new Governor: "I think he will be a refreshing change. Sir John's experience with the World Bank will prove this to be an important appointment for Bermuda at this time."

Retiring Governor Thorold Masefield was said to be not amused by the implied slight.

Mr. Scott said no slight had been intended but he denied making the whole thing up.

He said: "I never intended to give the impression we (the Premier and I) never had an interview. The quote was based on a conversation with her. I served her badly.

"I didn't let her see what was written, she should have seen it. We did not handle it as well as we might have."

Premier Jennifer Smith appeared to attack Mr. Scott's handling of her quote in an interview on VSB's Night Talk on Thursday night when she said: "There's a whole world of difference between saying `At this time in the 21st century with these things going on we are getting someone with the kind of background which may be helpful'' and saying `A breath of fresh air'. There's a whole world of difference.

"I am sure someone thought this was an accurate paraphrase, but if I was their English teacher I would have to question their powers of comprehension."

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