controversial convention organiser Bonnie Marshall.

But this year's convention -- due to be held on the Island in November -- could still be in jeopardy because the American promoter is still involved in its organisation -- and Department of Tourism chiefs refuse to do business with her.

Although The World Conference of Mayors founder Johnny Ford decided to cut its ties with Ms Marshall following a row between her company -- the Afro American Global Trade and Tourism Council -- and tourism bosses, it was decided to keep her on board for this year's event because it is now too late to hire a new organiser.

When told of the news last night, Tourism Director Gary Phillips would not reveal if Ms Marshall's presence would put the convention in doubt.

"That is something that I will have to discuss with Mayor Ford,'' he said.

Ms Marshall is threatening legal action against the Department because it has failed to come up with $65,000 worth of sponsorship cash for the event.

Tourism chiefs say the money can not be paid out until they have seen detailed plans of how the event will be promoted. That plan has still not been presented.

Ms Marshall's credibility has been thrown into question after it was revealed that she was sued in the US. And when The Royal Gazette checked out her resume some of Ms Marshall's claims, including having worked for President Clinton, could not be verified.

Last night World Conference of Mayors founder, Mayor Johnny Ford, would not expand on the reasons why Ms Marshall's contract had been renegotiated.

"I have never criticised Ms Marshall in public,'' he told The Royal Gazette .

"But sometimes when you draw up a contract you then realise that you want to renegotiate and that's what we wanted to do.

"She is still with us but Ms Marshall now understands that she will only be completing this conference for us and then we will be free to hire someone else. We will learn from this.

"We originally had a contract for three years and we agreed that since it was so far gone and everything was worked out, she could stay on.

"We were in the process of renegotiating her contract when she indicated to us that matters had been worked out between herself and the Department of Tourism. Based on that we agreed to allow her to finish this year's contract.

"But the next day I got a call from the Department of Tourism indicating that things had not worked out and that Ms Marshall had gone to the press and both sides were upset with each other again.'' Mayor Ford is expected to arrive on the Island later this week to hold talks with Mr. Phillips and also meet with St. George's and Hamilton mayors Lois Perinchief and William Frith.

"What I propose to do is come down to Bermuda because I am concerned about our conference, not Bonnie Marshall or the Department of Tourism,'' he said.

"I will be coming to Bermuda on Wednesday and at that time I will have a press conference to try to clear up all this.''