this week and basking in good news for a change.

His political career was in crisis last month when he was the only Government MP not to show up for a crucial vote of confidence in British Prime Minister John Major's administration.

Officials in the ruling Conservative party formally punished him and he was slammed in the British press.

He continues to deny rumours he was in Bermuda during the crucial vote on the Maastricht treaty on European unity, but will not reveal where he was.

He says he has given "undertakings'' not to reveal his whereabouts.

But now he definitely is on the Island, at home in Tucker's Town with his wife Nicole, he is able to reflect on some comforting publicity.

A poll in his English seaside constituency, Torbay, has revealed residents back his stand four to one.

And a London magazine says Conservative supporters in Bermuda have sent more than $1,275,000 to the party since Mr. Allason started a local fund-raising group three years ago.

Mr. Allason told The Royal Gazette : "I would be surprised and delighted if that figure were true.

"But I would be very sceptical. It would be really a substantial chunk off the party's overdraft.

"I can't imagine that that's the case.

"I know of no heavy hitters in Bermuda -- it would be a delightful thought if there were.

"But there's no reason why I should know.'' And as for news of the donations reflecting well on him, he said, "It doesn't really work like that.'' However, he believes he should soon have normal relations with his parliamentary party -- once officials feel he has demonstrated consistent support for the government.

"Since I have always supported the government and the prime minister on every issue except for Maastricht, that's not a problem for me.'' Mr. Allason said he was in a dilemma over the complex issue and decided to abstain -- as he believed another five MPs would.

He did not attend the House of Commons because he feared he could have been "strong-armed'' by his party into changing his mind on what he considers a point of principle.

"In those circumstances you feel slightly awkward trying to tear yourself away from the grip of the prime minister.

"It just seemed to me -- and it was the wrong decision, for which I have apologised -- that the most honourable and sensible way to do what I set out to do was simply not to be there.

"In retrospect I think I should have elbowed my way into the chamber and sat myself limpet-like onto the benches.

"But the truth is that all my colleagues were picked off one by one and I don't think that I would have had any greater backbone or staying power than them.'' Mr. Allason seems confident of the support of voters in Torbay, whose interests he says he had in mind during the Maastricht crisis.

"I feel as secure as any member of parliament does in difficult times when the government is unpopular, but knowledgeable that he has the support of his party workers.

"And as far as I can tell, the support goes a great deal wider than that.'' Mr. Allason says he gets on well with the Governor, Lord Waddington, a former senior Cabinet member in the Conservative government.

But did the Governor support his stand? "That's a private matter,'' said the maverick MP.

REBEL WITH A CAUSE -- British MP, best-selling spy writer and Bermuda resident Mr. Rupert Allason.