being withheld from titleholders.

Capt. Henry Campbell, franchise holder Mr. Terry Smith's partner, was responding to accusations from an anonymous contestant earlier this week.

One of the women who participated in the local pageant on September 20 said Miss Tourism Bermuda, Shawnette Parris, and Miss Talent '92, Carol-Ann Williams, who was also the first runner up, were still waiting to hear about their prizes.

And she claimed this was due to the young ladies remaining neutral about the controversy that erupted when 24-year-old Miss Dianna Mitchell was controversially crowned Miss Bermuda Islands.

Yesterday Capt. Campbell denied they were withholding prizes.

He also denied the delay was caused by three of the main sponsors withdrawing their prizes after the controversy erupted.

All of the sponsors contacted yesterday denied they had withdrawn their prizes, except one who declined to comment.

Miss Tourism Bermuda was promised a cruise to the Bahamas; Miss Talent '92 was to go for a talent screen test with Jericho Entertainment Inc. in Orlando Florida.

The first runner up was to represent Bermuda in the Miss Wonderland Pageant in Hong Kong.

Capt. Campbell said Miss Williams had previous engagements this month so she agreed to go for the screen test early next year.

He said a date was discussed with Miss Parris about the cruise but "because of a change of circumstances we had to postpone that''.