clergyman convicted of sexual assault yesterday attacked the Progressive Labour Party's handling of the controversy.

She was speaking after the PLP stuck by disgraced pastor Trevor Woolridge -- despite a decision by the Island's African Methodist Episcopalian Church's ruling body to kick him out of the pulpit at his Mount Zion Church.

The woman -- who cannot be named for legal reasons -- said: "I would have thought that, because of the seriousness of the nature of the offence, they should have handled it in the same fashion as the AME handled it.

"The way they have done it is totally unacceptable.'' She added: "I believe Jennifer Smith should have been more open-minded and had more compassion, not just for him, and she should not have been so focused on the party.'' The woman, now living in Georgia, spoke exclusively to The Royal Gazette last night -- her first public statements since her allegations about Mr. Woolridge surfaced earlier this year.

And she came to the defence of ex-Attorney General Saul Froomkin QC, who handled her prosecution.

PLP leader Jennifer Smith said at a press conference last week that there had been a "concerted campaign'' to smear Mr. Woolridge -- and she added that money had "seemingly been made available'' for the victim to pursue her case after the Attorney General's Chambers did not proceed with it.

Mr. Froomkin -- who took the case free of charge -- has since threatened legal action unless he receives an apology.

And the woman involved was so furious after reading reports of the fresh twist to the row that she contacted The Royal Gazette .

The woman said: "Out of the goodness of Saul Froomkin's heart, he helped me out and believed in me when the Bermuda community turned its back.

"I went to the church and the church turned its back on me. But Saul Froomkin had compassion and he cared enough to reach out and take time to help someone who was in need.

"I want Jennifer Smith and other people to know that I am grateful there are good people -- Saul Froomkin proved that.'' Mr. Woolridge was convicted in Magistrates' Court three weeks ago of groping the woman's breasts and exposing himself to her when he visited her home in September, 1996.

Bermuda's most prominent women's rights group, the Women's Resource Centre, has also hit out at the apparent lack of concern among PLP chiefs for the victim.

A spokeswoman said that by "negating the conviction'' Mr. Woolridge's supporters were "belittling and invalidating'' the victim's distress.

Mr. Woolridge -- who pleaded not guilty to the charge -- was not sentenced for the offence pending the hearing of an appeal against conviction, which will be heard in Supreme Court. A court slot for the appeal has not yet been announced.

Ms Smith last night refused comment on the Woolridge affair.

One PLP stalwart admitted he was "uneasy'' at the party's stance in the Woolridge affair -- and pointed out it might not be popular with women voters.

According to the 1991 census, women of voting age outnumber men in all 20 Island constituencies.

Sen. Yvette Swan, Government Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs, which includes Women's Issues, said she did not want to comment on the Woolridge case, particularly as the conviction was subject to appeal.

Sen. Swan said: "Speaking on behalf of the United Bermuda Party Government, we -- of course -- do not condone abuse and never will, whether physical or sexual.''