Both Education Minister Randy Horton and Telecommunication Minister Terry Lister have denied any plans to challenge Premier Ewart Brown for the leadership at the Progressive Labour Party's annual Delegates' Conference tomorrow.

Mr. Horton, who was off island when the speculation had erupted, rang The Royal Gazette to say: "I have never expressed any intention to run for the Premiership, certainly at this stage.

"The Premier has my full support. This is mindboggling."

He added he has since met with the Premier to express his loyalty and doubted any leadership challenge would emerge.

Mr. Lister said he was not interested in the post and didn't appreciate the speculation involving his name.

Disillusion with Dr. Brown is said to be growing with his support now limited to a handful of branches. One PLP source told this newspaper earlier this week that delegates are considering Sports Minister Elvin James for the top job as all, ".....except for Laverne Furbert, have lost confidence".

Insiders say the Premier has lost support because of money wasted on consultants and personal aggrandisement at the taxpayers' expense. It has also been said that attempts were made to broker a deal with Dr. Brown where he would step down gracefully, however the efforts failed and a fight is now on the cards.

Party chairman David Burt refused to comment on potential contenders but said that for a leadership challenge to be mounted, a special delegates conference would have to be set up – that requires the approval of the central committee or the support of 12 branches.

Dr. Brown will speak to delegates at the Berkeley Institute tomorrow evening. Last night one of the Premier's opponents played down the likelihood of a leadership challenge this week, doubting there was sufficient branch strength to force a special delegates conference.

And another even said the rumours of a coup had originated from Dr. Brown's supporters, who are keen to 'smoke out' possible challengers. "It is all part of a plan to thwart any possible attempt against him."