abusing the freedom of the press.

But he claimed: "We on this side of the House believe in the freedom of the press.'' He added, however: "We see stories appearing in the paper on a regular basis which are without foundation.'' But, when pushed by the Opposition to give examples, he came up with one -- a story from December, 1997, when he was confused with fellow MP Terry Lister in a row over a "liar'' allegation in the House of Assembly. The story was written by a reporter new to the Island.

Mr. Lister added: "On the tenth page they apologise. That's not freedom of the press.'' In fact, the error was corrected in a front page story in the issue of December 9, 1997.

Mr. Lister also omitted to mention that the same reporter gave him an opportunity to clear up the mistake himself that weekend, but he declined to do so.

Mr. Lister also hit out at the former Editor of The Royal Gazette , David L.

White, for a speech made to Hamilton Lions earlier this month.

Mr. White said he "honestly believed'' that United Bermuda Party Shadow Minister C.V. (Jim) Woolridge would have been Premier of Bermuda if it was not for The Royal Gazette .

Mr. Lister added: "He was saying he was the cause of the downfall of a number of politicians in this Country.

"I don't believe that's true -- The Royal Gazette has set themselves up as some God. That's not the truth.'' Mr. Lister added: "Freedom of the press is a part of a democracy and I want to see it expressed.. two days in a row, The Royal Gazette were saying I had said something I didn't say.'' However, Mr. Lister's PLP was silent when a prominent supporter of the PLP, who had just been appointed to the Immigration Advisory Council and the Broadcasting Council, demanded that the work permit of a Scots reporter at The Royal Gazette be revoked only weeks after the PLP took power.

Among other things, the reporter was accused of insulting the Premier and other Government members and discouraging Canadian visitors from coming to Bermuda in the wake of the brutal murder of Canadian teenager Rebecca Middleton and the botched murder case which followed.

Bermuda College assistant Laverne Furbert said she would be writing to the Minister of Immigration and would forward copies of the letter to the newspaper and the reporter involved. They never arrived at The Royal Gazette .

Ms Furbert was never publicly disciplined for remarks, which were condemned by Opposition MPs.