Premier Pamela Gordon yesterday swung the wrecker's ball at claims by Opposition Minister Alex Scott that knocking down crack houses was a pre-election stunt.

And Ms Gordon blasted: "Once again, the Opposition has clearly demonstrated its penchant for knee-jerk criticism while we have been moving forward and taking action.'' The backlash came as another house used for drugs -- in Pembroke -- is scheduled for the wrecking crews today.

But an unrepentant Mr. Scott was last night sticking to his guns and repeated the Hamilton Parish demolition was "using tax payers' money to fund an election campaign.'' Ms Gordon insisted that Government made clear "weeks ago'' that drugs and crack houses were in for a hammering.

She said: "We made it very clear that we were focussed on drugs, their menace to our community and their negative impact on the quality of life for so many Bermudians.

"We made a commitment and we are fulfilling that commitment.'' Mr. Scott criticised the attendance of the Premier, Government Ministers and a Senator at the first demolition of a known crack house last week.

But Ms Gordon said: "I want Alex Scott to know the issue is crime, drugs and the safety of Bermudians.

"If the PLP want to continue to sidestep the hard decisions then so be it -- we're going to make an impact.

"We are going to deliver and no amount of whining from the PLP is going to deter us.'' Ms Gordon added: "The people of Bermuda want this -- not only are we going to get rid of these crack houses, we're going to take these buildings and, wherever possible, convert them into living quarters for Bermudians in need.

"If Alex Scott and the PLP oppose these objectives, they are working against our positive effort to protect and support the Bermudian people.'' Ms Gordon also took a swing at those "who put politics before progress'' and "oppose because they have failed to propose.'' She added: "Alex Scott and PLP should have the decency to applaud the positive steps we are taking.'' Ms Gordon said: "This United Bermuda Party Government is taking action and getting rid of crack houses.

"We have the money in our existing budget to fund it. We have delivered -- that's what Bermuda needs and wants.'' The Royal Gazette revealed in April that notorious drugs dens were set to be flattened in a unique link-up between crime-busting Police Task Force boss Insp. Stuart Crockwell and the Works & Engineering Ministry.

Ms Gordon repeated the declaration of war on crack houses in a keynote speech in June -- and said houses would be cleared or revamped as low-cost family housing if possible.

But Mr. Scott claimed people in the area of the already-demolished house "did not recognise it as one which had crack users or drugs traffickers.'' But Police and Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Maxwell Burgess on Monday insisted there was ample evidence the house had been used as a crack factory -- and by prostitutes and their clients.

Mr. Scott added: "The Premier is even using the Police Commissioner on the cover of her United Bermuda Party video jacket.

"As a Civil Servant, the Police Commissioner should not be part of any campaign.'' And Mr. Scott said: "We don't object to fighting drugs and crime -- we object to them using taxpayers' money as part of an election campaign.''