A rebel MP predicted a Hallowe'en horror for the UBP if party chiefs try to push through tough new rules designed to make Members of Parliament toe the party line at a caucus meeting tonight.

Dr. Clarence Terceira, one of the "People's Five'' who defied the party whip and backed a controversial anti-McDonald's bill, said yesterday: "I'll be there and I'll have my say -- and I expect the rest of the Five to be there.'' And he said if party chiefs thought that the changes -- which would allow expulsion of members guilty of "undesirable conduct'' or of defying the Party Whip twice in one year -- would pass without a fight, they were wrong.

The claim came after UBP Premier David Saul down-played the rule changes and said caucus was likely to approve them.

Dr. Terciera also confirmed that the rebel five had been invited to a meeting with Dr. Saul this morning -- but admitted he held out little hope for a reconciliation.

But Dr. Saul said: "The party's constitution is constantly being changed and there should be no problems with this.

"There is a whole series of amendments being made and this specific one is not retroactive.

"No-one should take it personally -- it's a suggestion which has come forward from party officers and branch chairmen and it's being suggested for discussion.

"And from what the party chairmen tell me and from what I deduce, I don't think it will be highly controversial and it will be a majority decision either way.'' But he admitted the change in the rules had been prompted after the five -- Trevor Moniz, Ann Cartwright DeCouto, C.V. (Jim) Woolridge, Dr. David Dyer and Dr. Terciera -- defied the Party Whip on several occasions.

Dr. Saul said: "People were asking `What do you do in events like this?' and the constitution was silent.'' He added he expected the controversial measure to be approved and passed by the party "in a month or two''.

But Dr. Terceira said: "I hate to say it, but I think he has his head buried in the sand if he thinks this is nothing. It's a very serious thing he is trying to do and very serious for the Country.

"It's ill-advised, ill-timed and possibly illegal. They should get their own legal counsel to take a look at it and if it's something they should really be doing at all.'' He added: "You are not permitted to coerce Members of Parliament -- in law, they vote in Parliament and Parliament is supreme -- not caucus and not Cabinet.'' But Dr. Saul insisted the move was legal and in line with disciplinary rules governing political parties in the UK.

Mr. Moniz told The Royal Gazette on Saturday that he was convinced the proposed amendments to the UBP constitution were designed to force the five into dropping the Prohibited Restaurants Act.

The Act passed the House of Assembly last session after the UBP rebels joined forces with the UBP in a bid to cripple former Premier Sir John Swan's bid to open a McDonald's burger joint in Bermuda.

But the Act later stalled in the Senate -- but the rebels vowed to reintroduce it in the coming session of Parliament.

And Dr. Moniz insisted on Saturday that the rebels had the support of the public and pledged that the rebel grouping would not be scared off by the introduction of tougher rules.

He said: "It would not stop us reintroducing the Prohibited Restaurants Bill.

It is a sign of desperation and it is extremely sad. It is designed specifically to make us back off the Prohibited Restaurants Bill.''