Mystery surrounds the presence of a US-based political spin-doctor at the Progressive Labour Party's HQ.

The political guru is believed to be American citizen Bill Johnston.

Mr. Johnston -- understood to have worked with the winning People's National Party in the recent Jamaican elections -- was contacted at the PLP's headquarters by The Royal Gazette .

The man who answered the call had Mr. Johnston on line within a couple of minutes.

But Mr. Johnston insisted he was on "a social visit'' and was not working for the Opposition.

And he added he had not been even informally asked by PLP chiefs to advise them on their strategy for the General Election -- which is expected to be called in the next week or two.

Mr. Johnston -- believed to be based in the Massachusetts area -- said: "I just happened to be in the Country visiting some friends.

"This is basically a social visit -- I have some friends and I stopped by to see them.'' Party leader Jennifer Smith did not return calls from The Royal Gazette yesterday.

Party press officer Corey Butterfield said: "I know we have had a ton of people coming through offering all sorts of assistance.'' But he said: "We haven't hired anyone to do any work -- I guess he was no vacation and just came in.'' He was also unable to confirm the spelling of the political advisor's name.

Chief Immigration Officer Martin Brewer said information on anyone applying for work permits was confidential.

And he refused to comment on whether any application had been made for a political advisor to be brought to the Island.

A spokeswoman for Jamaican Prime Minister P.J. Patterson's People's National Party confirmed yesterday that she was aware of Mr. Johnston's involvement in Jamaican politics.

But she was was unable to provide further details.

But it is believed he was called in by the ruling PNP last year to help mastermind its re-election bid.

It would have been a surprise move if the PLP were to have gone overseas for advice on its General Election campaign.

For the party regularly takes swipes at the ruling United Bermuda Party for its retention of US advisors and pollsters.

The UBP uses the American firm of Penn & Schoen for polling and has hired the Farwell Group to help prepare its campaign.