The US Consulate General was keeping quiet yesterday after Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown said he would not come forward with an explanation for his alleged breach of security at the Airport last week.

The Consulate General issued a strongly worded statement last week saying it gravely concerned by Dr.Brown's alleged "gross violation" of US pre-clearance procedures before he boarded a flight to Washington and looked forward to him clarifying his position.

Dr. Brown was in defiant mood on Sunday saying he would "absolutely not" be approaching the Consulate General because he did not respond to press statements.

He strenuously denies breaching any procedures at the Airport required by the US which allow passengers flying to the US from Bermuda to get pre-clearance on the Island.

Dr. Brown said the Consulate General should come to him or someone in Government and then he would explain himself.

Opposition leader Dr. Grant Gibbons said on Friday that Dr. Brown should not jeopardise the Island's pre-clearance privileges because of his "ego".

He said the US was extremely sensitive to airline security after September 11 and urged Dr. Brown to contact the Consulate General and tell it he recognised the rules applied to him as well as everyone else.

The incident last Wednesday happened when Dr. Brown asked to see the supervisor of a Bermuda Security Group guard when he was told he was being subject to a random search before boarding the flight.

Dr. Brown, who was with Airport General manager James Howes throughout the incident, said he did not refuse to be searched, but said the guard motioned him towards the departure gate and walked off after asked to see the supervisor.

Acting Consul General Karen Emerson said yesterday: "At this point we do not want to make any comment."