made by an American conference promoter.

And he described Bonnie Marshall, head of the Afro American Global Trade and Tourism Council, as "not the easiest person with whom to do business'' -- blaming her for the discord between her company and the Department of Tourism over a contract to promote the World Conference of Mayors on the Island.

Mr. Phillips felt compelled to speak out after Ms Marshall, who has taken out a writ against the Department of Tourism, made a public statement on Tuesday accusing Solicitor General William Pearce of "deception and bad faith''. Ms Marshall also claimed the department was reluctant to back the conference, suggesting that racism could be behind that reluctance.

After reading Ms Marshall's allegations in The Royal Gazette Mr. Phillips said: "I cannot any longer allow the misrepresentation of the relationship between the Department of Tourism, the Solicitor General and Ms Marshall to remain unchallenged.

"I vehemently challenge any attempt by Ms Marshall to accuse the Solicitor General of acting racially, or, as she has done in the past, to accuse me and the department of not being interested in African American visitors. Ms Marshall, to put it bluntly, has not been the easiest person with whom to do business and I am not the only person in this community who knows this fact.

Maybe some of them will now feel comfortable in going public.'' Mr. Phillips went on to ram home the point that Ms Marshall has repeatedly failed to meet the department's one request -- that the remaining $65,000 owed as part of a $100,000 sponsorship deal will only be paid once a detailed marketing strategy had been presented by Ms Marshall.

Both Mr. Phillips and William Pearce argue that such details are necessary before they begin spending tax payers money.

"On Monday, September 14, in my office, Ms Marshall finally agreed to provide the plan,'' Mr. Phillips said.

"That was the only agreement reached -- Ms Marshall's account of that meeting is a total misrepresentation.

"On Tuesday, September 15, the Solicitor General and I again met with Ms Marshall and her attorney, Mr. Phillip Perinchief and she promised again to produce the plan. As at 5 p.m. today Ms Marshall has not provided any plan.

"The Department has never wavered from its commitment to this conference and the potential it has to further enhance our efforts to attract African American visitors. The World Conference of Mayors knows this fact and so does Ms Marshall.'' Yesterday Mr. Pearce declined to comment on Ms Marshall's allegations but added that he was disappointed that they had been made public.

"I have been branded virtually a racist and I have no comeback,'' he said.

Last night Ms Marshall's lawyer, Phil Perinchief, confirmed that a detailed marketing plan had still not been produced.

But he said that his client would produce a fully comprehensive document and present it to Mr. Phillips this morning.

And he hinted that, if the document was produced and the remaining $65,000 was subsequently paid up by the department any legal action by Ms Marshall could be dropped.

But when Mr. Perinchief was asked why his client had been unable to come up with a detailed marketing strategy, even though it was a key clause in the contract signed back in May, he was unable to answer.

"I will have to take further instruction but things are just moving along so quickly,'' he said.

TOURISM TOU DISCRIMINATION DIS