Government Ministers Terry Lister and Elvin James left Premier Ewart Brown's Cabinet yesterday — with Mr. Lister confirming he was fired.

Mr. Lister and Mr. James led demands for the Premier's resignation on Friday night after Dr. Brown infuriated party colleagues by attempting to push through his controversial cruise ship gaming bill without his backbench critics knowing.

The Premier's popularity with his Progressive Labour Party MPs yesterday appeared at an all-time low, with not a single one offering support when contacted by The Royal Gazette.

Another two backbenchers yesterday told this newspaper they wanted the Premier to quit, echoing Friday night's calls by Mr. Lister, Mr. James, Randy Horton and Wayne Perinchief. Dr. Brown suffered a crushing blow earlier on Friday as seven of his own MPs, including Whip Lovitta Foggo, voted against his gambling bill.

But Dr. Brown is not going to leave of his own accord, with his press secretary Glenn Jones saying last night: "The Premier's stated intention is to complete his term and as of this moment that intention hasn't changed."

The PLP Central Committee will meet tonight to discuss the party's leadership. A Special Delegates Conference could force him out, but that would need the backing of PLP branches or the Central Committee, on which sits a number of Dr. Brown supporters.

Dr. Brown said in a statement last night: "In the last Parliamentary session of the House of Assembly before the summer recess, two PLP Government Ministers and two PLP backbenchers made comments about my tenure as Premier. I was called upon to resign.

"I have met with those two Government Ministers and confirmed that they will no longer serve in Cabinet.

"Weekend meetings with senior Cabinet ministers and Party leaders have been quite productive and have helped me to better chart the way forward.

"To discuss these and other items, a PLP Central Committee meeting is planned for tomorrow evening, where we expect to have a robust debate on a number of issues including leadership.

"In the meantime, our PLP Government remains in tact, working hard to improve the lives of all Bermudians and keep moving Bermuda forward."

Asked if he had quit or been sacked, former Energy Minister Mr. Lister said: "I stood on my feet in Parliament and asked for the Premier to resign. Having done that why would I resign? At no time did I offer my resignation."

Mr. James, a long-time friend of Dr. Brown and a former running mate in Warwick, could not be reached for comment. His departure means the PLP is now searching for its eighth Education Minister in 11 years.

Dr. Brown shocked the 0House of Assembly on Friday morning by introducing a vote on the gambling bill, despite pledging the day before to put it on the back burner until November at the earliest.

MPs have told this newspaper Ms Foggo was unhappy that Dr. Brown instructed her to tell the United Bermuda Party, backbenchers and the media that the bill would not go ahead.

Dr. Brown admitted it was a strategic attempt to pass the vote, which was opposed by many in his own party and the UBP. He had e-mailed details of his plan to those who support gambling, including some not in the PLP, while keeping his opponents, including some PLP MPs, in the dark.

PLP MPs Ms Foggo, Ashfield DeVent, Dennis Lister, Patrice Minors, Wayne Perinchief, Alex Scott and Dame Jennifer Smith all voted against it.

Mr. DeVent and Mr. Scott have since complained about the Premier's abuse of the Parliamentary process. Others to criticise him recently include Dale Butler, who resigned as Culture Minister three weeks ago in dismay at the Premier's handling of the Guantánamo Bay affair.

One PLP backbencher who did not speak in Friday's Motion to Adjourn told this newspaper last night: "I hope that Dr. Brown will let reason prevail and put country and party before self.

"I support their call for him to step down. It's time for him to go for the good of the country and party. Two of his closest supporters in Cabinet have gone, following another Minister resigning.

"It would look like the writing is on the wall. I hope he's brave enough to do the right thing."

Another backbencher said: "The Ministers had been teetering on the brink. What happened on Friday was one more thing that sealed it for them. They felt compelled to get up and speak out."

On the chances of the Premier stepping down, the backbencher said: "He's probably going to carry on. He hasn't got the decency to do the right thing."

PLP MPs speaking to this newspaper yesterday said the Premier could still count on the support of Ministers Glenn Blakeney, Derrick Burgess and Walter Roban, and backbencher Zane DeSilva.

Mr. Burgess and Mr. DeSilva declined to comment yesterday; Mr. Blakeney and Mr. Roban could not be reached.

This newspaper approached each PLP MP yesterday. Most were unreachable or declined to comment.