failing to turn up at an official US dinner to launch Bermuda as a world contender in computer-based technology.

At Senate on Wednesday, opposition senator Mark Pettingill said they were invited to attend the special dinner in New York and had failed to turn up, claiming they had lost an opportunity to win over more business. He said: "The Premier was supposed to make a speech about business in New York, but she did not show up. The Minister of Finance, Eugene Cox, also did not make it because it was raining.'' And he said businesses on the Island were talking about the inaction of the Government with regard to bringing in new wealth and making progress in the e-commerce market.

Last night the Premier was unavailable for comment. Mr. Cox would only confirm he was in New York at the time of the launch, and refused to comment further.

But Pat Phillip-Bassett, chief executive of the Bermuda International Business Association, which organised the launch, said the Premier was never expected to attend the event.

She said Ms Smith had been invited, but the Minister for Telecommunications, Renee Webb, had gone in her place instead. She attended a media briefing about the launch and made a speech on behalf of Government, and she also attended a cocktail reception.

Mr. Cox attended the media briefing, but not the cocktail reception. Neither of them attended the dinner.