The Premier last night dramatically broke his silence over the Paget East primary uproar and told a public meeting: "I apologise.'' The Hon. Sir John Swan's apology came as he faced a barrage of angry questions over why some 800 constituents were robbed of their votes.

Sir John blamed the problem on his party's constitution which required would-be primary voters to be UBP members for at least 14 days.

And it led to many people not having enough time to register before Tuesday's poll.

Sir John -- who set the date for the by-election -- said he had not scrutinised the party constitution carefully enough, and admitted an "oversight''.

"If an apology needs to be given, I apologise,'' he told a 140-strong meeting at St. Paul's Christian Education Centre in Paget.

Later he told The Royal Gazette he had not made a personal apology -- rather it had been on behalf of the UBP. "I was concerned by the two-week requirement in the party's constitution,'' he said.

"It appears our constitution is out of sync with the Bermuda Constitution.'' Last night's meeting was aimed at giving constituents the chance to question and listen to the UBP's primary challengers, the Hon. Grant Gibbons and Dr.

Edward Harris.

Sir John was among the audience, and not part of the platform.

Others in the audience were UBP rebels the Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto and Mr.

Trevor Moniz. Finance Minister the Hon. David Saul was there too.

It was clear the key issue on the minds of the audience was the date of the by-election -- and why so many voters were disenfranchised.

The primary is being held to replace the Hon. John Stubbs who died on June 7.

His death meant the by-election could have been held as late as August 8.

The July 14 by-election date chosen by the Premier and set by the Governor meant a June 30 Nomination Day. That resulted in a June 28 date for the UBP primary.

The rule requiring those who vote in a primary to be UBP members for 14 days led to a controversial cut-off for signing up.

Many discovered they had just four hours to register.

Last night Dr. Harris said 850 Paget East constituents were deprived of their rights.

"The future of Paget East is in the hands of the remaining 366 constituents, who may vote at the primary this Tuesday.

"The winner of the primary will thus be elected by less than 15 percent of the constituency.

"If elected, I will fight to make the necessary reforms to ensure that never again will Paget East, or any other constituency, be deprived of their democratic right to vote.'' Dr. Harris also had some more consoling words for the Premier, however.

He apologised to him for attacking him in the Press, and calling for his resignation.

Earlier, Dr. Harris set out his stall on Independence.

"What general benefit would Independence have for Bermuda? None, it would appear.

"Yet in recent months, completely out of the dark, we have been presented, unasked, unsolicited and uncanvassed with the Independence initiative.

"As happened before, the issue has created considerable division within the party, and the country, which has been regrettable, if absolutely predictable.'' Dr. Gibbons also stressed his opposition to Independence.

He went on to take a swipe at Dr. Harris for not being "a team player''.

Dr. Gibbons described his opponent as an "Independent candidate'', and likely to create divisions within the party.

In addition, he criticised Dr. Harris for never going to Caucus meetings.