a row over a leak, The Royal Gazette understands.

Former UBP executive officer Joe Gibbons is understood to have offered his resignation to Premier Pamela Gordon amid a row over disclosure of poll results compiled by US firm opinion-gatherers Penn & Schoen.

But Mr. Gibbons last night refused to confirm or deny his resignation.

He said: "I have no comment on it -- it would be really inappropriate for me to comment.'' Party chiefs are believed to have been furious over the leaked poll results and launched an internal probe.

It is understood the finger may have been pointed at Mr. Gibbons -- who denied the allegation and said he would step down from his party post.

The Royal Gazette reported last Wednesday that Ms Gordon's popularity rivalled that of long-time Premier Sir John Swan at his peak in the 1980s.

Her rating, according to sources, was 20 percent higher than that of her predecessor David Saul, which was said to be around the 60 percent mark.

It is understood the party's popularity had also shown an increase by up to six percent, pushing it over the 50 percent mark.

But the disclosure of the results of the poll -- normally a closely-guarded secret -- prompted the party hierarchy to try and plug what was believed to be a leak in the party's inner circle.

Mr. Gibbons, 44, was unsuccessful in the UBP primary for the Devonshire South by-election earlier this year, losing out to Michael Dunkley, who eventually won the seat for the party.

Mr. Gibbons is widely credited with playing a major part in the UBP's 1993 General Election victory.

Party chairman and Senate Leader Gary Pitman said he was not aware of any row.

He added: "I guess any resignation would go to the campaign chair -- if there was anything. I haven't heard anything, but I will look into it.''