Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown was accused last night of thinking he and his Cabinet colleagues are above the law following complaints from Police and Customs that he demanded access to restricted areas of the Airport.

According to letters from the officers, Dr. Brown told those who refused him access to a restricted area to meet a friend that he had "an understanding" with Police Commissioner Jonathan Smith.

Police are now investigating complaints from the Customs and Police.

But Shadow Transport Minister Erwin Adderley said Dr. Brown appeared to be in breach of Foreign Office safety guidelines for airport security.

He said the Aviation Security and Privacy (Overseas Territories) Order 2000 made it clear people seeking access to unauthorised areas had to have permission from the Airport manager.

And Mr. Adderley said the latest incident was similar to the row about oversized cars in which, he said, Government broke the rules and then changed the guidelines afterwards when it was caught.

Mr. Adderley said: "These guys are defying the rules and making them up as they go along. It's exactly the same as it was with the oversized cars.

"The Airport manager needs to give permission and Dr. Brown apparently doesn't have permission.

"He may well be the Minister responsible for the Airport, but he doesn't have the authority to override the manager.

"People have to provide a pass and if that pass is acknowledged they can go ahead, and it would appear that the people charged with the day-to-day running of the Airport for security were not aware that he had any permission.

"These guys are breaking the rules and then making up a rational for breaking the rules when someone catches them out. There are rules for one person and another set of rules for the Minister and his friends. "If he has changed the rules, the Airport manager doesn't know about them, and neither do the Police and Customs. Its the same thing as happened with the oversized cars - nobody knew about it except him and a few Ministers.

"He can change the rules, but there is a process to go through, and he has decided he is above the process and he can do whatever he damn well pleases."