as his reason.

Former senator Mr. Wendell Hollis, who lost his bid for election in Hamilton East last October, handed in his letter of resignation from the United Bermuda Party Caucus.

"I no longer consider myself a member of the UBP,'' he told The Royal Gazette .

Mr. Hollis said the Government move towards Independence was only one reason for his resignation. There were several others, he said.

"I am not in support of the way in which Independence has been handled by Government,'' the lawyer said.

"I also wish to resume a sense of political independence so anything I say won't reflect on the UBP. I want to talk freely on any issue without fear of embarrassing the party. I value my personal independence and I used to be quite proud of the fact that I was not affiliated with any political party.'' Mr. Hollis referred to his comments to The Royal Gazette about the Bermuda Grace TV movie as an example of statements he had made which reflected on the UBP.

Those opinions were purely his own, but ended up being depicted as the party's, he said. Mr. Hollis had knocked UBP MP the Hon. John Stubbs over his scathing comments about Bermuda Grace, which featured Mr. Hollis' home.

Mr. Hollis denied any resentment or disappointment at not being re-appointed to the Senate after his election loss, saying he had not expected to get back the seat.

The UBP Caucus consists of MPs and adopted and approved candidates. Mr. Hollis was the Government spokesman for Environment while in the Senate. His resignation comes just days after Delegated Affairs Minister the Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto quit the Cabinet -- but not the party -- expressly over moves towards Independence. And Management and Technology Minister the Hon.

Michael Winfield resigned his post last Tuesday to focus on his business affairs.