Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan last night urged the Opposition "to do the honourable thing'' and demand MP Dr. Ewart Brown's resignation.

Dr. Brown, who won a seat in the constituency of Warwick West nearly two years ago, admits he pledged allegiance to the US in 1990.

Opposition leader Mr. Frederick Wade immediately rejected the Premier's suggestion.

"As far as we are concerned the matter is closed unless it is raised by someone eligible to do so. If that is the case then the matter will be resolved by the Supreme Court,'' said Mr. Wade.

Sir John said the resolution of the matter rested squarely with Dr. Brown and Opposition leader Mr. Frederick Wade.

"Mr. Wade ... knows the law, he also knows that all Parliamentarians have a responsibility to defend the Constitution and protect the integrity of Parliament,'' Sir John said.

"If, as it has been alleged, Dr. Brown in any way violated that, I would expect Mr. Wade to cause Dr. Brown to put it right if Dr. Brown himself does not offer to do so.

"In cases like these, Members are expected to resign or the leader of the party is expected to ask for his or her resignation.

"That is the honourable thing to do. Even if there is doubt about the legal correctness, a Member would most likely stay away from the House of Parliament until the matter is resolved.

"After all the eyes and ears of the entire community are watching and listening for a resolution to this matter. I would have thought Mr. Wade would be extremely concerned about the credibility of the PLP and his own credibility and whether he is going to uphold his legal and parliamentary responsibility to Parliament and the Bermuda Constitution.'' Meanwhile, Mr. Wade said his party had undertaken a thorough investigation of the Bermuda Constitution prior to the 1993 election.

"We've had legal opinions on the matter prior to the last election and we are satisfied that Dr. Brown is not in breach of the Constitution.'' "Therefore there is nothing that either Dr. Brown or myself has to do. Our party has always upheld the Constitution and Dr. Brown would not have been a candidate if he was not eligible to be a candidate,'' said Mr. Wade.

Dr. Brown admitted in an interview with The Royal Gazette on June 8 that he pledged allegiance to the United States when he obtained his citizenship there five years ago.

Section 30(1)(a) of the Constitution states: "No person shall be qualified to be appointed as a Senator or elected as a member of the House of Assembly who is, by virtue of his own act, under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state.'' This raised questions about his eligibility to take his seat when the House met on Friday June 9.

However, Dr. Brown did take his seat in the House of Assembly.

Dr. Brown has said he would renounce his US citizenship if it came to a choice between that and his seat.