New Environment Minister Pamela Gordon last night admitted she would rather be doing her old job at the Ministry of Youth and Sport.

She said: "My heart is very strongly in the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Recreation.

"I will very possibly miss the regular contact -- but I still intend to be very actively involved with our young people and participate in another way.'' Ms Gordon added that a move was "not always comfortable or convenient'', but that she was prepared to take a new Ministry if it was for the benefit of Bermuda.

She declined to answer outright if she would return to her previous job if it was offered.

But she said: "I will say Education and the Ministry of Youth Development are the two most important ministries in the Government.'' Premier David Saul announced on Tuesday that Ms Gordon and Mr. Smith were switching jobs.

The swap came after Mr. Smith tendered his resignation following controversial remarks about a planning appeal involving MP Mr. Trevor Moniz, one of the so-called "people's five'' on November 10.

The five Government backbenchers had stayed away from a vote and allowed PLP MP Mr. Stanley Lowe to defeat the Government-nominated Mrs. Grace Bell for the post of Deputy Speaker. Mr. Smith made his remarks after the vote -- unaware that a microphone in front of him was still live.

Mr. Smith offered to resign on Monday -- but Dr. Saul decided to move him instead of returning him to the backbenches.

Ms. Gordon said: "I am very sorry that this whole thing has come up and I'm very sorry the issue of Tim Smith was blown up out of all proportion the way it was.'' But she vowed she would devote the same energy to her new job as she brought to her old one.

Ms. Gordon said: "What is most important is that we operate as a team and if needed, we fit wherever we have to fit. That is why we have a Cabinet -- you can move people around wherever they need to be according to circumstances.'' She added that she had already drawn up battle lines for her new job, including a bid to have the Parks Department returned to her new Ministry from the Ministry of Works and Engineering.

And she promised to take a fresh look at the controversial five-year-old fishpot ban to see if it could be lifted or modified.

Ms. Gordon added that she would also be casting a fresh eye on the current building code, taken from a US model, to see if "maybe it needs to be altered for Bermuda''.

The news came as angry sports bosses vowed to petition the Premier to have the popular Minister returned to her previous job.

Bermuda Autocycle Union president Mr. Ras Mykkal said: "If she's doing a good job and working well with everybody, why move her? "If it ain't broke, why fix it? I would like to encourage all sporting groups to urge the Premier to reinstate Pam Gordon as Minister of Youth and Sport.'' He added that many sports' bodies plans were in mid-stream and they would now have to start from scratch with a new Minister.

Mr. Mykkal added: "While everything that we wanted has not been realised under Miss Gordon, many things have. I think it is a shame and a slap in the face to her. It leaves me with serious questions about politics in Bermuda.

"Seeing Pam Gordon working with various sports, I don't think any appreciation has been shown. I'd like to encourage the Premier to reconsider his position.''