New Health and Social Services Minister Nelson Bascome is set to quit his job as an addiction director at a charity to avoid a conflict of interest, The Royal Gazette can reveal.

And he signalled that his decision heralded a major shake-up in the treatment of drug addiction in Bermuda.

Mr. Bascome confirmed yesterday that he will leave his job as Director of Treatment at the Salvation Army-run Harbour Light at the end of the month.

He said: "I've spoken with my employers and I will be leaving at the end of the month.'' Mr. Bascome added: "Because we're dealing with the treatment of addicts, a lot of it comes under health and there is a lot I will be doing to revamp treatment in Bermuda.

"There is a lot to be done on the front edge and to be directing a treatment centre would be, not conflict exactly, but there would be some concerns.'' He added: "The last two years, I've been trying to get Government to give funds to Harbour Lights, which is running on bare bones, and to get medical and dental treatment for the patients, but I was unable to get a few dollars.'' Mr. Bascome admitted giving up his job was not a decision he had taken lightly or without regret.

He said: "It saddens me because I'm committed to that because I put 100 percent into it.

"I'm dedicated to that field and I am trained in that arena.'' During a press conference following the PLP Government's first Cabinet meeting yesterday, Ms Smith said one of her Ministers had quit his job -- but refused to reveal who.

Harbour Light boss, Salvation Army Maj. David Goulding, said: "We are sorry to see him go and we understand his position.

"But the moment we heard of his Cabinet position, we knew if he stayed as programme director there would be a conflict and neither Nelson nor the Salvation Army wanted that to happen.'' Hamilton East MP Derrick Burgess, the head of the Bermuda Industrial Union, will follow the line taken by his MP/BIU chief predecessor Ottiwell Simmons and not take a Cabinet post because of the potential for conflict of interest.

Mr. Bascome joins ex-head teacher Dale Butler, a new MP in Warwick West, who had to give up his job under rules outlawing Civil Servants getting involved in politics.

Mr. Butler did not win a spot in Cabinet -- he was tipped for Education, but Premier Jennifer Smith kept her Shadow portfolio.

But it is thought Mr. Butler may be in the running for the job under a promised shake-up of Ministries and responsibilities promised by Ms Smith some time after next year's Budget.

Earlier, Magistrate Arthur Hodgson -- the new Environment Minister -- had to quit his post under the same set of rules as Magistrates are classed as part of the Civil Service as well.

Nelson Bascome Graphic file name: NELLIE