Opposition MP Ewart Brown in a verbal dispute over dual citizenship.

Dr. Brown recently held a press conference announcing that he had dropped his US citizenship in a bid to defuse controversy over his right to sit in the House of Assembly.

But Government Whip Quinton Edness voiced skepticism over the move -- and demanded proof from Dr. Brown that he had indeed renounced US citizenship.

Mr. Edness had stated that reclaiming US citizenship was a simple process -- requiring little more than a phone call during a possible ten-year grace period.

But he apologised to Dr. Brown yesterday, stating: "I spoke with an authority in the US Consul's office and I found I was mistaken.'' Mr. Edness said his original comments were based on a conversation he had with Americans whose knowledge he expected to be accurate.

But he was forced to admit that his understanding of the situation was wrong.

"There is no grace period -- once renounced, it's final and there's no easy way of getting it back,'' he said.

And he mentioned that US officials spend time discussing the ramifications of renunciation with the citizen since there is in fact a lengthy process involved in getting citizenship back.

Mr. Edness stated: "I have wronged, either directly or indirectly, Dr. Brown -- and for that, I apologise.'' "He has renounced his citizenship, I am satisfied -- he's done the right thing and we can move on from here...if I have in any way injured Dr.

Brown, I apologise.'' Dr. Brown was unavailable for comment yesterday.

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