Premier Alex Scott last week stressed that he, not former Premier Jennifer Smith, had requested a review of her security arrangements as a precursor to her moving out of The Laurels.

"The former Premier did not ask to stay in that residence," Mr. Scott said.

"I, as Premier, asked the security folks as to the appropriateness of her either staying or going to a private residence. She has not made any demands."

The Premier was responding to a request for an update on Ms Smith's living arrangements.

Ms Smith, who went on holiday immediately after resigning the Premiership, is still occupying The Laurels - her official residence while in office.

"It is still currently the former Premier's residence because she is overseas on holiday and I have spoken with her spokesperson and what will happen is when she returns to the Island I will meet with her and once I receive an assurance that she is able to find lodgings elsewhere I will be able to make an announcement as to when she will leave The Laurels," the Premier said.

"For the public edification, I have consulted the records of Works and Engineering and it will appear there is precedence for the holder to be given support for about three months in the residence they occupied while in office. I'm anticipating that the former Premier will be back on the Island well within that time frame."

He also wanted to clarify that a security review of his residence had been initiated by the Police.

"I did ask for a security review for The Laurels. The Police themselves requested that they do an evaluation of my residence."

And he met with the Police to discuss his own arrangements.

"Maybe they'll tell me the only people I need to fear is the press," he quipped before the meeting. "But I don't think so."

As for Ms Smith's security review, he said he had the results and would discuss its findings with her first before going public.

"But I wouldn't want folks to think that the former Premier had asked to stay there," he emphasised. As a former Premier he felt she should be treated "appropriately".

"I didn't want to cast her out without any protection... It's not unique to myself. I know the US have the same approach. Obviously the US and Bermuda are two different entities. But I guess I wanted to err on the side of caution."

The former Premier does not, and will not, have use of any of Government cars, he said when asked.

And he revealed that he himself is only chauffeured around in GP1 for official functions.

"On daily routine things I drive myself in GP8, which I used when I was at Works and Engineering. The Works and Engineering Minister now uses, I believe, GP4."

The Premier added: "I also made the point, tongue in cheek at a conference (for Auditors), that I had driven myself to the Camden reception sans any GP1 sans driver because I wanted the Bermudian Auditor General to know that this Premier was running a very tight ship and had a very austere approach.

"I may have on occasion been less than kind to the Auditor General and I was somewhat alarmed when I heard there were literally scores of auditors coming to the Island. I thought he had called for reinforcements, but happily I learned it was a legitimate conference."