advert featuring dreadlocked PLP candidate Delaey Robinson was revealed.

The ad was placed through the ad agency Harris and Mitchell -- but it originated in the offices of Aardvark Communications, where United Bermuda Party supporter Dusty Hind works.

When Mr. Hind was first contacted, he said: "It was not placed by this agency and it was not placed by the UBP.'' But a probe by The Royal Gazette discovered that the ad was placed by Harris and Mitchell as "a favour'' -- possibly in a bid to mask its real origin.

Ben Fairn, one of the owners of Aardvark, said last night: "Our designers did not produce this ad and our graphic designers did not prepare it.

"It hasn't passed over anyone's desk here.'' And it is understood UBP chiefs did not see or approve the offending advert.

When questioned, Mr. Hind said: "I'll call you back.'' He did not call back.

The Royal Gazette was unable to establish if Mr. Hind placed the advert on his own behalf or if he was acting for others.

Mr. Hind does not hold any formal position in the UBP, but he is known to be a supporter of the party.

Harris and Mitchell did not return several calls from The Royal Gazette over two days.

But -- after Mr. Hind was contacted at Aardvark -- a spokesman for Harris and Mitchell confirmed yesterday: "The ad was placed by ourselves as a courtesy...'' The spokesman, however, refused to comment further.

Mr. Robinson said last night: "I have great doubts whether the people responsible would ever come forward and 'fess up because the reaction of the Country has been so strong.

"It appears whoever did it has already used subterfuge -- they've been very, very crafty.

"Whoever did it isn't decent so we can hardly expect the decent thing, but they should admit it.'' It was reported two weeks ago that Mr. Robinson, a former Civil Servant in the Finance Ministry, was poised to succeed current PLP Finance spokesman Eugene Cox -- who has failed to shine in the run-up to the General Election -- if the PLP win next Monday.

The advert, which featured dreadlocked Mr. Robinson with the captions "Jennifer's choice for Finance Minister'' and "Do you really want this man to `broaden the tax base'?'', was placed by "true believers in Pam and her team''.

Premier Pamela Gordon -- who has called for a clean campaign -- denounced the ad and said she was "livid.'' And Development and Opportunity Minister Jerome Dill said the Human Rights Commission would launch a probe into the advert.

An angry Mr. Robinson, running in St. George's North, said at the time the ad was "outrageous'' and added the UBP was supported by "racists''.

The UBP last week condemned PLP-supporting flyers which made personal attacks on the party's candidates -- including one featuring Ms Gordon and her sister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, which dragged their late father, labour leader Dr.

E.F. Gordon, into the Election campaign.

Delaey Robinson DISCRIMINATION DIS