Industrial Union's The Workers' Voice which claimed she threatened to shut down construction at the BIU's new gas station.

Friday's edition The Workers' Voice alleged Ms Gordon made the threat to the project supervisor in a row over the siting of vent pipes near a house owned by members of her family and occupied by her nephew "just days before being declared leader of the Country.'' The story claimed that the then-Environment Minister "a planning department employee and members of the Gordon family descended upon the work site on Dundonald Street to complain that air vent pipes from the gas tanks were `badly situated.' '' But a furious Ms Gordon said last night: "It's untrue -- first of all, I never went there with any planning people.

"This whole thing has been taken out of context -- I just think it's most unfortunate if this is the game they are playing.'' But Ms Gordon said she would not consider legal action against the publication.

She added: "They are stooping so low to try and discredit me -- but it's not worthy of taking legal action.

"There is not one quote there from me, nor did they come and get an accurate account from me. They are not interested in knowing the facts.

"There is no point in me trying to defend myself when there is nothing to defend myself against.'' The article, which was not bylined, went on to say that a "Union spokesperson'' said that "Ms Gordon issued a threat to the project supervisor that `she would have the job closed down if the pipes were not removed'.'' The story claimed that Ms Gordon issued the threat "even after the supervisor pointed out that the pipes extended above the roof and that fumes would not cause a problem for the occupants of the house.'' Ms Gordon said that her nephew and his father had been involved in a row with site workers before she arrived on the scene.

She explained her relatives had contacted her over fire worries because electrical cables were routed near the vents.

Ms Gordon said her nephew had a gas stove with bottles stored nearby and he feared a spark from the cables could cause a catastrophic explosion.

She added: "Prior to my coming down, my nephew and his father were a bit irate and must have said `we are going to try and get this shut down'.'' But she said: "When I was there, I was very polite to the foreman of the the job -- I said I had come out there because my family owned the property, not taking into consideration I was also the Minister of the Environment.

"I asked to see the site plan because I found it a bit peculiar that planning permission would be given for vents so close to electrical wires. He showed me the plan and I saw it was approved.

"I told the foreman that this was a cause for concern....he hadn't done anything wrong or illegal but there was a concern which I would look into.'' Ms Gordon added: "I told my nephew and his father that they were out of order and that the gentleman had approval and there was nothing which could be done.'' She said she contacted senior planning officers the next day and was told that the cables were not a planning matter, but an issue for the Fire Service.

A senior officer from the Fire Service later inspected the vent area and confirmed that the electrical cables and poles would have to be moved for safety reasons.'' BIU president Derrick Burgess last night said he had been off sick, had not seen the article and could not comment.

When phoned at home last night, The Workers' Voice editor, Dr. Barbara Ball, said: "If you want to ask me something contact me at the union.'' PREMIER GORDON -- `The whole thing has been taken out of context'.