"anger, anxiety and fear'' in the civil service, the Premier said yesterday.

The comments on Monday by Mr. Eugene Blakeney "cannot be allowed to stand'', the Hon. Sir John Swan said at a news conference.

Mr. Blakeney, a PLP incumbent in Hamilton West who is also general secretary of the Bermuda Public Service Association, said there could be civil servants who were too close to the United Bermuda Party Government.

In the event of a PLP win, "if in fact it's felt that they cannot be loyal, then obviously, our Leader, Brother Freddie, will do what he has to do''.

Mr. Blakeney was referring to Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade. Civil servants were supposed to be impartial, but there could be a couple who were not, Mr. Blakeney said at a rally in Hamilton Parish on Monday night.

Reading from Government's General Orders, he outlined the duties of the Cabinet Secretary and Permanent Secretaries -- the top civil servants.

Sir John said Mr. Blakeney's comments "threaten one of the most important concepts of the Government''.

"The civil service must be an independent body,'' he said. "They cannot be subject to the whims of the political party in power or have their careers based on their political affiliations.

"Not only does this remark fly in the face of our Constitution, it challenges the premise of good, fair and impartial government.'' The comments also demonstrated that Mr. Blakeney would be "hopelessly compromised'' as a member of Government and head of the public service union, Sir John said.

"Here we have the head of a union endorsing the arbitrary removal of members of his own union.'' The comments disturbed and insulted the public service, while Bermudians were "appalled'', he said.

"The United Bermuda Party is proud of the professionalism of the public service,'' he said. "This direct and scurrilous attack is uncalled for, dangerous, and sends a very clear message on what type of Government the PLP would provide.'' Mr. Blakeney could not be reached for comment, but Mr. Wade said yesterday that he could not think of a disloyal civil servant and no dismissals would be automatic.

"We would go in with an open mind,'' he said.

The Cabinet Secretary and Permanent Secretaries were appointed by the Premier and the option was there for the Premier to dismiss them. No Government would interfere with civil servants below the Permanent Secretary level.

As a representative of civil servants, Mr. Blakeney would know best who was loyal and who was not, Mr. Wade said.

OCTOBER 1993 ELECTION