Tourism Minister David Allen accused The Royal Gazette of "biased and irresponsible'' reporting yesterday in the House of Assembly.

He was referring to a story in which Government's new cruise and stay programme was reported as being a failure.

Mr. Allen said he received a letter from Crown Cruise Lines chairman Fred Mayer, who alleged the reporter who wrote the story misquoted him and took what he said out of context.

He criticised the newspaper for not publishing this letter in full and for only making a small correction to the story in a later edition.

And he blasted Shadow Tourism Minister David Dodwell for "taking up without question'' the substance of the story and responding accordingly.

"This is exactly the kind of irresponsible coverage that can only work to do serious damage to Bermuda,'' Mr. Allen said.

At this Mr. Dodwell shouted from the other side of the house: "Absolute rubbish!'' while other Opposition MPs jeered: "Go ahead, shoot the messenger''.