newspaper's gossip column that his memoirs were blocked by UK civil servants terrified that his account of life in Bermuda would cause offence on the Island.

Lord Waddington said: "There is no truth in it at all -- it's just a silly gossip column fabrication.'' And he added he had now taken up the matter with the London-based newspaper with a view to getting an apology.

The former Governor of Bermuda was speaking from his home in Leicestershire after the column in the middle-brow Daily Mail said the UK Cabinet Secretary had told Lord Waddington that his memoirs needed "substantial cuts''.

And the article claimed Lord Waddington had dropped the idea of publication because of bureaucratic interference.

Lord Waddington admitted he was working on an autobiography -- but said that he had not submitted anything for official approval.

The Royal Gazette understands that former UK Government Ministers are obliged to submit autobiographical works prior to publication for vetting -- but only on the grounds of Cabinet confidentiality and national security, not tone or opinion.

Lord Waddington said: "The entire article doesn't tie together or make any sense.

"I have not the slightest doubt I told the man from the Mail if there was a question of publication, it would have to be submitted to the Cabinet Secretary.

"But there is no truth in the statement that I submitted my memoirs to the Cabinet Secretary and he told me I couldn't publish them. I am working on them -- it will be a long job and we will have to wait and see.'' Lord Waddington added articles like the one in the Mail's Nigel Dempster column did not worry him unduly.

He said: "I have a broad back -- I have had plenty of stupid things said about me in the Press in the past.

"It's annoying that these fabrications appear -- all one can do is protest and hope the powers that be take the proper action.'' The Daily Mail article also claimed current Governor Thorold Masefield and said he had already "got people's backs up'' by hosting a dinner party at Government House on the night of Diana, Princess of Wales funeral.

But Government House Registrar Paul Dryden said: "We were shocked at this -- this is nonsense.'' And he added Government House had received no complaints about the Saturday night event, hosted by the Governor for around 50 senior officers from the NATO squadron visiting Bermuda that weekend.

Mr. Dryden pointed out that, in line with Britain, sporting events scheduled for sailors for Saturday had been cancelled and all the ships in the multi-national force had taken the "unprecedented'' step of lowering their ensigns to half-mast while still at sea -- following the lead of HMS London as a mark of respect for the Princess.

Mr. Dryden said: "Before the dinner took place, I consulted with Buckingham Palace myself and the period of official mourning ended at sundown -- the dinner started after that. We stuck rigidly to protocol.'' NEWSPAPER NJ