Premier Alex Scott last night said Cabinet colleagues now openly campaigning for his opponent should consider resigning.

Both Environment Minister Randy Horton and National Drugs Control Minister Wayne Perinchief have come out in support of Dr. Brown?s bid to oust Mr. Scott as Premier and Progressive Labour Party leader.

Mr. Scott told : ?I won?t say it?s a blow to me but if you know the Westminster system it is exceptional to find Cabinet ministers openly campaigning against the leader.

?You saw what Dr. Brown did ? as the party members would say and the public have agreed ? he did the right thing.

?He stepped down, he resigned Cabinet. It would have been a consideration for any Cabinet minister who chooses to openly campaign for someone other than the Premier for them to consider their position.?

Asked if he was surprised they hadn?t already walked he said: ?It is up to them to consider their position.

?There will be others who will say whether it is right or wrong for them to come out while members of Cabinet and not say ?Wait a minute now, I am going to enter into a political posture which is not consistent with cabinet ministry.?

Asked if he was thinking of sacking them if re-elected on Friday Mr. Scott said: ?I didn?t go anywhere near that. It?s for them to consider.?

When then Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson challenged and lost to Premier Jennifer Smith in 2000 he was fired.

But Mr. Scott said: ?That is not my style.?

Speaking earlier Mr. Horton said Dr. Brown was the better candidate and denied the move was sour grapes after his recent demotion from Home Affairs.

Despite publicly breaking ranks with Mr. Scott, Mr. Horton said he would be happy to continue to serve under either leader.

Mr. Horton has been rumoured to be Dr. Brown?s running mate in tomorrow?s delegates vote.

But he told : ?I have not canvassed in any way for the Deputy Leadership, however if there are people who think I am fit to be Deputy Premier I will certainly give it consideration.?

He said he had not discussed the matter with Dr. Brown but he said he was a firm supporter of the former Tourism Minister.

?I have always been a supporter. I supported him back in 2003. I certainly see Dr. Brown bringing in a new level of life, vim and vigour into the post.

?He isn?t afraid to take on anyone for what he believes is right for the country, so I will certainly support that.?

He also believes Dr. Brown will be able to increase youth involvement in the PLP.

Mr. Horton began his parliamentary career in 1998 and joined the Cabinet as Minister Without Portfolio in February 2001. That November he became Minister of Community Affairs and Sport.

In July 2003, he was one of 11 rebel PLP MPs who defected from Premier Jennifer Smith?s Cabinet.

After Mr. Scott took the top job, Mr. Horton was promoted to the Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety post.

But last month he was axed to make way for former BIU leader Derrick Burgess. At the time he made no secret of his anger about being removed from a job he loved.

But he denied he had come out in favour of Dr. Brown because he was still bitter.

He said: ?No, not at all. I said I was disappointed certainly, but I am not supporting Dr. Brown because of that. I am Minister of the Environment and I am putting my energies into that.

?I really think Alex Scott has done a good job but I just feel Ewart Brown would do a better job.?

Saying he hoped to remain in Cabinet whatever the result he added: ?I have always given 100 percent to any Premier that I have worked for.

?I have always been on a team. Whether one wants the captain or not ? you give the captain 100 percent. I am happy to carry on whoever is Premier.?

He predicted the vote would be close and said it was healthy process for the party.

Asked if it meant the party appeared to be perpetually split, he said: ?That?s the case for those who don?t believe in the democratic process.?

National Drug Control Minister Wayne Perinchief has also thrown his support behind Dr. Brown saying: ?Dr. Brown is the person for the Premiership.

?He?s younger, he has an international flavour, international contacts and a proven track record. He?s should be the natural successor.?