His comments led to a reprimand from Deputy Governor Nick Carter, who criticised the Premier for commenting on a matter of foreign relations ? an area which is constitutionally the responsibility of Government House.

Mr. Scott first said he was considering rejecting Britain's invitation to a UK-Caribbean forum on crime and security next month, as Bermuda had been offered only an observing role and "would be relegated to sitting as an appendage to the actual meeting".

And later, after broaching the subject of whether his stated support for Caricom's position on Haiti breached foreign policy protocol, he suggested that Britain "may take exception with democracy in the territories".

After hearing that Premier Scott had commented on Haiti, Mr. Carter said: "It's inappropriate for the Premier to comment on foreign relations. That is the responsibility of Government House."

Opposition Leader Dr. Grant Gibbons said the Premier appeared to be "picking a fight with Britain". And he said the Premier's backing of Caricom's Haiti declaration was effectively a criticism of US foreign policy which would, added to the Cuba controversy, be another source of disharmony with the island's biggest trading partner.

Haiti has been in a state of turmoil since democratically elected president Jean-Bertrand Aristide left the country a month ago as the capital Port-au-Prince came under attack by armed rebels.

Caricom has refused to recognise the new administration in Haiti and has demanded a full investigation into circumstances surrounding Aristide's departure from office. Aristide himself claimed he was forced to leave by US forces, something denied by the US Government.

Now a United Nations interim force is working in Haiti. Britain supported the implementation of that force with its vote for UN Security Council Resolution 1529.

But Caricom refused to join that force because of its "dismay and alarm" over the circumstances leading to Aristide's departure. A Caricom statement on March 4 said Aristide's resignation "sets a dangerous precedent for democratically elected governments everywhere as it promotes the unconstitutional removal of duly elected persons from office".

Mr. Scott gave a summary of the Caricom meeting yesterday which included mention of the 15-nation Caribbean Community's statement on Haiti.

The Premier said he backed Caricom's position ? but that would appear to put the island at odds with the UK.

Mr. Scott said: "They (Caricom) decided democracy should rule and I agree that democracy should rule. If someone finds exception with that, then give them my e-mail address.

"I would like to think that Britain still subscribes to democracy and the Bermudian people subscribe to democracy."

Mr. Scott emphasised he had been treated as though Bermuda were a full, rather than an associate member, and he had been invited to sit around the table with Caricom leaders, but he had maintained an observing role.

"I did not vote and I didn't even speak," Mr. Scott said. "Now I'm reporting back to Bermuda on what transpired."

He reiterated his desire to see democracy rule and then said: "With some of the opinions I've seen coming out of Britain lately, then they may take exception with democracy in the territories."

Dr. Gibbons said: "I don't think Mr. Scott's comments with regard to Haiti will be positively received by our American friends, because clearly the Caricom declaration is critical of the US role in facilitating Aristide's departure. I don't think that's helpful."

The Premier also questioned the value to the island of accepting an invitation from Britain to attend next month's UK-Caribbean Forum, at which security issues will be high on the agenda and the US Homeland Security Department will participate.

"While the UK Government has extended an invitation to the Bermuda Government to participate as an observer in the May 2004 forum, it would appear that Bermuda would be relegated to sitting as an appendage to the actual meeting and it is questionable what role we might be assigned if we were to attend," said Premier Scott.

"We have to consider whether it's really in the interests of Bermuda to be there. When I heard that we would be given an outside table, that really got my attention."

Mr. Carter said he thought this was the first time Bermuda, or any other British territory in the region, had been invited.

"Next month's conference is an annual event," Mr. Carter said. "To the best of my knowledge this is the first time an invitation has been extended to the Overseas Territories."

He added that independent Caribbean countries would be given a place at the discussion table, while the territories would get an observing role.

Dr. Gibbons said: "It looks as if the Premier is trying to pick a fight with the UK and I don't understand why that is.

"I'm not sure how relevant Caribbean security issues will be to Bermuda as we are not in that geographical region.

"Regarding security issues specific to Bermuda, Mr. Scott has, in his own back yard, access to the US Consul General, which gives him a direct line to the State Department and the White House.

"From my own experience of going to a number of meetings of Commonwealth Finance Ministers and another meeting in the Bahamas with (former Premier) Pam Gordon on financial matters, I know it's not too difficult, as an observer, to contribute and the UK has facilitated that.

"My own sense is that if it will be useful for the Premier to attend, then the fact he has been invited is a positive thing."