Taylor Shadow Home Affairs Minister Michael Dunkley alleges that Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown and fellow Minister Terry Lister were let off speeding fines.

The claim was made in the House of Assembly on Friday night after Telecommunications Minister Renee Webb -- who it emerged last week had also been let off a speeding fine -- challenged him to name the Government ministers he had claimed had escaped fines.

He said: "I am reliably informed the Telecommunications Minister was doing 71 but was cautioned, that Terry Lister was caught doing 70 and got cautioned and the honourable Minister of Transport was caught doing 70 and was given a caution.'' Mr. Dunkley said he could produce the proof if challenged.

He went on: "Just to clear the air, I wasn't going to get into that, I was asked a direct question by the minister, I gave it. You are asking if I am right?'' The Deputy Speaker replied: "No, just documentary proof. Mr. Dunkley said: "Three ministers were cautioned.'' The Government then challenged Mr. Dunkley about his own record.

He said: "I have been caught speeding twice -- both times I went to court and paid my fines.

"This is a ticklish for the Government. I have to speak for the Bermudian people.'' He then accused the Deputy Speaker of trying to stifle public debate after he ruled that he would not tolerate people making accusations.

Ms Webb admitted she had been caught speeding on Harbour Road last Sunday. She said she would have gone to court but she was told there was no speeding gun involved.

She said this fact had emerged after a letter about the case, delivered by a plain clothes Policeman, was left at ZBM news.

She then called Acting Assistant Commissioner Jonathan Smith and met him and the officer who gave her the ticket.

Mr. Smith then wrote to her and said that because, of the unauthorised disclosure of the case the ticketing officer and the Sergeant had agreed with his decision to issue a caution rather than go to court. She said the letter thanked her for her support of the Police and it mentioned that despite having an approach which some members of the public found antagonistic, the Police were getting results.

Ms Webb told the House: "Rather than go to the court and embarrass the Police -- there was no way it would have stood up.

"He (Mr. Dunkley) could not accept the fact that as a result of irregularities they withdrew it. It's nothing to do with me or this Government.'' Mr. Dunkley also mocked Dr. Brown for clamping down on oversized cars after the Government had already equipped themselves with them.

Last night neither Dr. Brown or Terry Lister could be contacted to comment on Mr. Dunkley's claims.

Terry Lister