Government has hit ex-Premier Pamela Gordon with a whopping bill for work done on an official residence acquired when she led the Country.

But now Ms Gordon has put the matter in the hands of lawyers with a view to fighting a legal battle over the issue.

It is understood that a six-figure sum has been demanded from Ms Gordon for work done on the rented Warwick house prior to her moving in.

Yesterday Ms Gordon said she had referred the matter to her lawyer "because it's my integrity which is being put in question''.

Works & Engineering -- under PLP Minister Alex Scott -- is responsible for Government-owned and leased property.

Last night Mr. Scott said: "I know nothing of a bill being sent to Ms Gordon.

"Any assistance I can provide is that it must be appreciated that the new Government inherited a multiplicity of things which started under the previous Government.

"And, the Civil Service being the thread of continuity carries out many things without requiring the Minister's direction or knowledge.'' The official home -- estimated to cost $60,000 a year -- was backed by both sides of the House during last year's Budget debate.

And in 1997, then-Opposition Leader Jennifer Smith publicly backed an official residence for Island Premiers -- on the grounds it would be "more democratic''.

She said previous Premiers had been wealthy enough to maintain homes suitable for entertaining foreign dignitaries. But she recommended looking at existing Government property with a view to identifying a suitable house.

Camden in Paget, the official residence of leaders of the Country, is used for entertaining but is not suitable as a home because it has no bedrooms. Ms Gordon leased a house in Warwick after being told by Police chiefs that security could not be guaranteed at her family home in North Hamilton. Only days after winning power in November last year, Ms Smith ordered a probe into the lease terms of Ms Gordon's home. Cabinet Secretary Leo Mills -who could not be contacted for comment last night -- was asked to carry out the investigation.

Ms Gordon hit back and said she would not be leaving the house after her party was defeated at the polls.

And she stressed the house was not leased by Government for her -- but in her own name with a Cabinet-approved $5,000-a-month housing allowance, which ended after her Government declared the election date.

But work done on the house before Ms Gordon moved in is understood to have cost Government money -- although Ms Gordon said most of the work was related to security at the property.