Ousted golf pro Senator Kim Swan has broken his silence after being relieved of his duties following 16 years at St. George's Golf Club.

However, a devastated Mr. Swan said last night that the only reason he felt compelled to speak out was to respond to claims by the head of Bermuda's golf board, Government MP El James, that he was not running the pro shop properly.

Mr. James said the decision to remove the Opposition Senator was not a political stitch up, as had been claimed, but a committee decision.

And he gave clear hints that it was Sen. Swan's handling of the business concession that led to him losing the contract.

Mr. James heads the board of trustees which covers public golf courses.

He said: "The decision was made by the committee and ratified by the whole board.

"It was not based, as some people might want to make it, on politics.'' The Progressive Labour Party backbencher said he did not want to attack Sen.

Swan's reputation via the newspaper.

But he added: "If you have individuals who have a job and they are not doing it, and you leave them in the positions, then people say it's political. But, if you get rid of them, it's still seen as political.

"I think Kim was quite aware of how we felt. I had a chat with Mr. Swan on Monday.

"But we had a job to do. That's it. It's not an easy job. We realised the effect it would have. But it's not a political stitch up.

"But you have to bite the bullet if you want to improve the establishment.

"If you look at Port Royal, they have a well stocked shop where people can buy golf apparel.

"I am looking forward to it being enhanced in St. George's, where people can buy golf shirts and golf balls and feel comfortable in there.'' Asked about reports that hire equipment was in a poor state, Mr. James said: "We have to look at that.'' Mr. James said he wasn't criticising Sen. Swan, and he said the new manager Rawn Rabain, who is with the Atlantic Golf Company, had extensive golf teaching qualifications and new ideas.

One of the Island's only golfers to have competed internationally on a professional level, Mr. Swan also helped establish two of the Island's three Government-run courses - St. George's and Ocean View.

When The Royal Gazette contacted him earlier this week about the termination of his contract, he refused to speak.

Swan speaks out over axing But last night, after the newspaper informed him of what Mr. James had claimed, the Opposition Senator said he felt like he had no choice but to respond.

He said: "I had chosen to refrain from making a statement because I wanted to rise above making it public.

"I am disappointed that, having refused to make any comment myself, he has made some derogatory comments towards me.

"I think that's quite unpleasant and after 16 years of service, I think it's unfortunate that he has chosen to do that.

"I do not want to comment on what he has said about the shop, Kim Swan, or anything else.

"But what I will say is that no reasons have been spelled out to me as to why this decision was taken.

"I think my record and experience speak for themselves.'' But Mr. Swan denied that he had spoken with Mr. James on Monday.

He added: "I received the letter on Tuesday, which came as a surprise to me, and then we had a brief meeting on Wednesday, which basically confirmed what the letter had said. It was brief and I was rather emotional.

"I have felt the trauma that this type of dislocation causes, but I have drawn consolation from the 23rd Psalm, The Lord is My Shepherd.

"And I want to thank everyone for their many calls of encouragement and support. And I also want to thank my past and present colleagues and management at the club.'' Mr. Swan added that he felt no animosity towards those people who submitted tenders for the contract, saying it was an issue solely between himself and the board.

One woman, who was getting golf lessons from Sen. Swan, said: "I am really sad -- he was an excellent teacher and went beyond the call of duty to help his students.

"What's the priority here? Selling golf balls or coaching? "If he wasn't running the shop well enough, then they should have taken that away from him and let him carry on as the pro.

"Not only was he an excellent golfer, but, most importantly, he was a great teacher.'' Mr. Swan is expected to leave the club at the end of July.