Housing Corporation chief Edwin Cowen yesterday slammed claims that one of its apartments had been left vacant while people were crying out for affordable homes.

And Mr. Cowen said the allegations by Rosemarie Pedro of the Coalition for Affordable Housing were "inaccurate'' and "grossly misleading.'' The Housing Corporation's general manager added that the apartment in Prospect referred to by Ms Pedro had been empty for some time.

But he said that was only while renovations were being carried out and that it had been allocated to a tenant "weeks ago''.

Mr. Cowen added: "I do not know where Ms Pedro gets her information but I can say it is inaccurate, grossly misleading, insinuates that the Housing Corporation does not know what is going on within its own operation and is insensitive to the needs of our target group.'' The Royal Gazette said yesterday that reporters had been unable to get independent confirmation about the status of the Prospect apartment after Ms Pedro released her statement late on Thursday night.

Mr. Cowen was speaking after Ms Pedro threw herself into the row surrounding Progressive Labour Party Pembroke West candidate Rodney Smith, accused of illegally evicting a tenant from a home in Spring Hill, Warwick.

The allegations stunned and embarrassed the PLP, which has pushed the housing issue as a major plank of its pre-General Election campaign.

It was alleged that Mr. Smith jacked up tenant Sharon Williams' rent from $2,000 to $3,000, illegally evicted her and dumped all her belongings out in the rain.

Mr. Smith was called before party chiefs on Wednesday night after Ms Williams went public.

But party leader Jennifer Smith was staying tight-lipped over the results of the behind-closed-doors meeting.

She said that the party had "unequivocal support'' for the rights of both tenants and landlords.

Ms Smith added that, after the meeting, she believed the party was "working towards some sort of solution''.

But she refused to say what sort of resolution of the row was being considered.

And Mr. Smith was also keeping a low profile -- he has not returned phone calls from The Royal Gazette since the row broke out.

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