the air after his shock request to quit his Cabinet post and his seat in Parliament.

Premier Pamela Gordon, who declined to comment after Dr. Dyer asked to go, was expected to make an announcement on her Youth and Sport Minister's future yesterday.

But it was later revealed that a Press conference would be held at around lunchtime today.

Ms Gordon could not be contacted last night and Dr. Dyer was not available at his surgery yesterday. There was no answer from his home last night.

Government officials are believed to have been keen for Dr. Dyer to stay on, although his seat, shared with Health Minister Clarence Terceira, is rock-solid.

Party insiders say Dr. Dyer, a sole dental practioner, was finding it difficult to juggle his Ministerial commitments with his professional workload.

And they ruled out rumours that he had quit in protest as he wanted Police Commissioner Colin Coxall, who resigned last week, to stay on.

A front-runner for the Cabinet vacancy is Tim Smith, a former holder of the post, who was replaced in January by Dr. Dyer as then-Premier David Saul sought to bring three of the McDonald's burger war rebels back into the fold.

Political newcomer Michael Dunkley, a keen sportsman, who played both cricket and soccer, of Devonshire South, is also said to be in the running.

Editorial: Page 4