spreading stories that he is dying.

The lawyer angrily dismissed claims that he was being treated for a terminal illness at the Agape House hospice in Paget.

And he told The Royal Gazette : "I would strongly advise all those who would either despair or rejoice at my demise to await the funeral announcement. I'm feeling absolutely fine.'' Mr. Hall, now living in Sandys Parish, said he was now "enjoying his privacy''.

But he is still fighting a $1.6 million bankruptcy case, with receivers already carving up his assets.

Mr. Hall said he was unable to comment on the case as it was still ongoing.

But he added: "I'm not in Agape House and I don't even know where it is, although I should.

"I resent the kind of people who would spread this kind of rumour. I deeply resent that.

"I'm in the peak of health as far as I'm concerned. But I'm a private individual. I'm not running for any office.

"And therefore I do not feel that I owe any details of any aspect of my private life to anybody.

"But considering the number of people who have approached me or my family about these rumours, I would wish to make it abundantly clear that I am not in Agape House.

"I haven't been hospitalised and I'm in the peak of good health.

"Somebody is spreading these rumours and they ceased to be amusing a long time ago.'' Mr. Hall, who represented Hamilton West for the Progressive Labour Party from 1989 to 1993, is immersed in bankruptcy proceedings after being ordered to pay $1.6 million to a former client's estate.

An official receiver has already been appointed and Mr. Hall lost his house at 42 Mount Hill, Pembroke, when it was auctioned off for $640,000 in February.

It had been placed on the auction list because the mortgage was foreclosed.

Mr. Hall was previously declared bankrupt in May, 1983 after proceedings against him by the Bank of Butterfield.

Bank officials claimed he owed almost $500,000 and Mr. Hall's bankruptcy lasted almost five years.

POLITICS PTL