Bermuda's small population, sophisticated infrastructure and strong tradition of public service makes conflicts of interest almost inevitable.

That's why setting up an institution like the MPs' Register of Interests is so important. There will be conflicts. They must be known by the public. If the conflict is too severe, the person must withdraw, either from their public service or from their private interest.

In certain cases, people, such as civil servants and Policemen, are barred from public service entirely, because they are employees of the same Government they would run as Members of Parliament.

Journalists have tended to fall into a different place. Traditionally, Bermuda journalists have not continued their professions if they have entered politics because it would be impossible to cover a party or a Government of which they are also a member.

There have been exceptions that make the rule. The late David Allen published a tourism trade magazine, Bermuda Dateline, and was also a Senator and later an MP.

When he became the Minister of Tourism, he stopped publishing the magazine, both for time reasons and because it would be virtually impossible to wear both hats at the same time.

This was not apparently a problem for him as Shadow Tourism Minister, and he did manage, for the most part, to keep the two jobs separate. It will be recalled by some that then United Bermuda Party Sen. Llewellyn Peniston lost his job after threatening to pull his cruise line clients' advertising from the magazine if Mr. Allen did not stop criticising the Government cruise policy while wearing his PLP hat.

Other journalists, including some from this newspaper, have and do serve on public boards and that does pose challenges to the individual and the newspaper. There is, however, an understanding that the newspaper must come first.

VSB news director Chris Lodge argued last week that Ashfield DeVent, who won the Pembroke East Central by-election falls into the same category as Mr. Allen.

Mr. DeVent is a reporter for VSB, but only covers the courts. Mr. Lodge argues that he should be able to continue that role while also being an MP, because courts coverage is not "political".

Well, yes. Certainly justice is supposed to be blind and politics should not intrude.

But prosecutors, and members of the Attorney General's chambers, are paid by the Government to enforce the law, as are Police officers who give evidence. Will he report that they are making mistakes or doing a poor job, even at the risk of making the Government look bad?

Magistrates and judges criticise the Government from time to time. The same problem will arise.

What happens if an MP or PLP official is in court, perhaps for a relatively minor offence? Mr. DeVent will be on the horns of a dilemma. If he chooses to report it, he may be in trouble with his colleagues. If he does not, he will be suspected of hiding the story, even if it was not a matter that usually warranted coverage.

Most importantly, Mr. DeVent will inevitably cover his Pembroke East Central constituents in court. Should he report on them if it may cost him their vote?

It is not easy to suggest that a person should be deprived of some of his salary, or that a person should be prevented from doing a job he clearly enjoys. But as sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, Mr. DeVent and his employers will have to make that choice for themselves at some point in the future.