Burchall in the wake of their public clash.

The Hon. Quinton Edness said he hoped to clear up "misinformation'' written about him by Mr. Burchall.

And he has asked Mr. Burchall to give a cast-iron guarantee he is not linked with the Progressive Labour Party's election campaign.

Mr. Edness's comments are in a letter to Mr. Burchall. A copy has been given to The Royal Gazette .

The pair clashed after Mr. Edness attacked Mr. Burchall in Parliament during the adjournment debate last Wednesday.

He said Mr. Burchall had "taken to creating stories involving myself and certain other members of Government in the Bermuda Times.

"He has started to systematically say negative things, creating negative innuendo.'' Mr. Edness, MP for Warwick West, said the Times was owned by PLP candidate Dr.

Ewart Brown. And he claimed Mr. Burchall was Dr. Brown's campaign manager in Warwick West.

But in a letter copied to the media Mr. Burchall later denied this.

He also stressed he was not a member of the PLP, and called for a retraction by Mr. Edness.

In his letter, Mr. Edness replied he had noted Mr. Burchall was a member of the United Bermuda Party's Devonshire South Branch in 1991.

He continued: "But, before I finally respond to your letter, I would ask for a categorical and personal assurance that you are in no way, directly or indirectly, associated with, or assisting or supporting the PLP's election campaign generally, and in Warwick West particularly.

"Also, if you are of a mind to do so, I would be pleased to meet with you in an effort to dispel some of the misinformation you have been writing about me.'' He added: "Since you copied your letter to the media, I am doing so likewise.''