Premier Alex Scott yesterday reiterated his view that the Premier should be afforded the same Airport privileges as the Governor and visiting dignitaries.

"The Premier, not Alex Scott, should probably be given equal respect to dignitaries who visit the Island, to the Governor who is part of the executive of the Island," he said.

"If I allow that to be disrespected I am allowing the Country to be disrespected."

During their weekly meeting, Mr. Scott had asked the Governor to give the Premier the privilege of having his official car meet him on the Airport tarmac when he returned from trips abroad.

He was asked to clarify contradictory reports of his meeting with Governor Sir John Vereker on the matter.

"The Governor said he had no difficulty with it," the Premier reported. "But he would look into the protocol."

He said he would find it "instructive" if the Governor or the Foreign Office thought the Premier "should be relegated to a lesser position than any foreign dignitary".