THE war of words between the two political parties which erupted after a Cabinet Minister used the phrase "house niggers" to describe black Opposition supporters, could be coming to an end.

The Mid-Ocean News understands that Premier Alex Scott and United Bermuda Party leader Wayne Furbert are currently "working together" on the issue.

Yesterday, a UBP source said Mr. Furbert was in talks with the Premier on the matter, and hinted that efforts were being made to clear the air.

The source said he did not wish to comment on the row and could not discuss the content of any meetings between the two leaders, but added that an announcement was expected next week.

The row blew up last year after Works & Engineering Minister David Burch, hosting his weekly radio talk show, cut off one caller critical of Government's position on Independence. Lt. Col. Burch then told listeners: "I am sick and tired of the UBP getting their house niggers to call up and try to give their opinion on Independence."

The caller, along with Shadow Finance Minister Patricia Gordon Pamplin, filed a complaint with the Human Rights Commission which was rejected last week. The Broadcast Commission is also reviewing the matter but has yet to make a ruling.

Ill feeling between the two parties escalated earlier this month after Government rejected an Opposition proposal for a code of conduct aimed at preventing politicians from stirring up racial hatred during election campaigns.

Opposition members said they had been the victims of racial slurs from Progressive Labour Party members in the run-up to the last General Election, and laid out five points to eradicate race from election campaigns. The proposal was rejected by the governing party without explanation.

And this week the dispute flared up again after Community Affairs Minister Dale Butler, while critical of Col. Burch's remarks, said he believed people who supported the UBP "want to be white". Mrs. Gordon-Pamplin responded by saying that allegation wanted "to make her puke".

Yesterday PLP spokesman Scott Simmons said he was unaware of any talks between the two parties.