Industrial Union headquarters yesterday.

Mr. Rushe, who took a union official to court last year, had turned up to the Hamilton building for an afternoon Press conference.

He was waiting in the foyer outside an upstairs meeting hall when union officials told him to leave.

"Take the steps,'' said Mr. Derrick Burgess, first vice-president of the BIU's hotel division. Mr. Rushe left the building amid protest.

He later told The Royal Gazette : "I was told If I did not leave I would be thrown out. I don't know what the problem was.'' Mr. Burgess said afterwards: "Mr. Rushe is not welcome here.'' Mid-Ocean News editor Mr. Tim Hodgson declined to be drawn into the controversy.

Last year Mr. Rushe, a former Policeman, brought a private prosecution against BIU treasurer Collin Simmons, charging him with assault, violently interfering with political liberty and threatening behaviour.

But the prosecution was thrown out by a court. Mr. Rushe also lost an appeal.