Under fire Government Minister Terry Lister should resign after an anti-American blast in the House of Assembly, Acting Opposition Leader Grant Gibbons has charged.

And he called on Premier Jennifer Smith to push the Minister out if he does not jump.

Dr. Gibbons said: "Mr. Lister's remarks could jeopardise the jobs and economic well-being of many Bermudians.

"If he won't resign, the Premier should fire him -- it's appalling judgment.'' And Dr. Gibbons added that upsetting the US while Bermuda attempts to win a $60 million-plus payoff for the clean-up of the old US bases was not in the Island's best interests.

He said: "It's not the best time to start making inflammatory and extremely self-righteous comments like he has done.

"This has to seriously undermine his credibility in any negotiations with the United States government.'' During Friday's heated debate on the abolition of hanging and flogging, Mr.

Lister slammed Opposition comparisons with death penalty states in the US.

He branded the American use of capital punishment as racist and "nothing other than legalised murder of black men''.

And Mr. Lister said: "There are no morals in the United States. There is no moral leadership. If you want moral leadership, do not look there.'' And Mr. Lister said -- during baselands negotiations with the US military nerve centre at the Pentagon -- he and other Government figures "tried to raise moral issues to people who kill for a living''.

Dr. Gibbons said: "As a Cabinet Minister he holds collective responsibility and therefore speaks for the Bermuda Government, not as an individual.

"Conversely, the Government is bound by Mr. Lister's remarks. We call on the Premier to distance Government and the people of Bermuda from Mr. Lister's remarks swiftly and unconditionally.'' Dr. Gibbons added: "Mr. Lister should publicly apologise to the representative of the United States Government in Bermuda.

"Furthermore, we would like the US Consul General to know that the Opposition condemns Mr. Lister's statements and we believe that Mr. Lister's inflammatory and anti-US remarks do not reflect the opinion of people in Bermuda.'' And he said: "In making these inflammatory, sweeping and inaccurate generalisations, Mr. Lister has committed a serious diplomatic error.

"The United States has been a good friend to Bermuda and a major source of our visitors and business for many years and Mr. Lister's comments could seriously undermine that relationship.

"Furthermore, his comments about the Pentagon have unquestionably compromised his ability to continue to negotiate the bases clean-up with the US D ep ar tment of Defence.'' Yesterday, the US Consul General's office was staying out of the row and did not return calls from The Royal Gazette -- nor did Mr. Lister.

Under pressure: Development and Opportunity Minister Terry Lister