could be the target in a pre-election bomb scare campaign.

The Premier and Opposition Leader Jennifer Smith have both been tipped off that crank callers have started telephoning threats to politicians.

The terror campaign is co-ordinated using public phones around Bermuda.

It is understood that several of the Island's leading politicians are targets in the disruption plot timed with the election due to be called soon.

Neither leader has yet been contacted directly by the callers. And it is still unclear if Special Branch officers have identified the activists behind the campaign. The Premier would not talk about the inquiry last night, only saying: "I have no comment.'' Opposition leader Jennifer Smith could not be contacted.

And an official Police spokeswoman refused to confirm the plot had been uncovered by Special Branch, calling the reports "irresponsible''.

But The Royal Gazette has learned that Police Commissioner Jean Jacques Lemay personally contacted Ms Gordon to warn her of the plot.

Commissioner Lemay -- who is off the Island and due to return mid-week -- immediately warned the Premier about the pre-election threats.

But Police spokeswoman Evelyn James Barnett said senior officials denied the reports, first aired on TV last night. Mrs. James-Barnett said: "Senior officials categorically deny the report that was first aired on VSB. It is not true.

"The initial reports do not even indicate where the reports came from,'' she said. "That borders on irresponsible reporting.

"We are concerned that a story like that would even run without coming to the Police Service for comment.'' A senior Government source said: "The situation is very serious and lives are at risk. They are designed to create fear among politicians and disrupt the political campaigns.'' This is not the first time the Premier has been at the centre of a security scare. Special Branch investigated threats on Ms Gordon in the wake of the launch of Operation Cleansweep in June 1997.

A hand-written note was given to Police and a man reportedly made threats outside Ms Gordon's mother's home on Victoria Street.

It has an international reputation for protecting many VIPs on the Island and although it does not normally provide security to local dignitaries, it has done so in the past.

After the assassination of Governor Sir Richard Sharples in March 1973, a special unit from the department was formed.

Protection was provided for the Governor, the Premier and the Chief Justice for the next five years before being phased out.

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