prepared to testify that he had bought drugs for him, it was revealed yesterday.

But Mr. Pearman -- probed by Police under the drugs-busting Operation Cleansweep -- said: "I'm not going to lose any sleep over this.

"I do not buy drugs, never have bought drugs and never will buy drugs.

"Maybe we are at the end of it, I don't know. I hope I don't hear any more about this -- I've had enough.'' The highly-respected Minister was speaking after bungling Policemen put him in the frame as part of a highly-publicised offensive against street drug-dealing.

Mr. Pearman, 70, said Commissioner Coxall had confirmed at a meeting at the House of Assembly two weeks ago that he had been put under surveillance.

The move came after two men arrested as part of Operation Cleansweep were found to have cashed cheques made out by the Minister.

Mr. Pearman said he had been implicated in the operation after hiring the two men -- both alleged drug users -- to work around his home.

He added the Commissioner had not identified the potential witness against him.

Mr. Pearman -- whose offer of resignation was refused by Premier Pamela Gordon -- said: "I felt disappointment and hurt for a couple of reasons.

"I thought most people knew me and knew my wife and how we tried to help people -- we are blessed and we do help people.

"Instead, I was told we were under surveillance and that they were about to get a search warrant for our premises.'' Mr. Pearman said: "I'm advised that one of the two people who worked around here for a year to 18 months said they bought drugs for me.

"Someone is prepared to give evidence to that effect -- I only hired these two so it doesn't take great powers of deduction to work it out.'' But Mr. Pearman insisted he had no regrets about trying to help drug users get back on track -- despite the problems it caused him.

He said: "We all have a responsibility if we want to correct these problems and create a sense of pride.

"Those we have tried to help have held their own. If you have a record, particularly one related to drugs, you have very great difficulty gaining employment.'' Mr. Pearman added that he was grateful for the public support shown for him by Ms Gordon.

He said: "The Premier -- without a question in her mind -- supports me.'' Mr. Pearman added that he supported the battle against drugs and had no hard feelings against the Police -- or Mr. Coxall, whom he had played a part in recruiting to head up the Police force.

He said: "It's primarily, in my view, not a question of using the wrong tactics. If this is what you get from a third party, confront the individual with it.

"I don't have any hang-ups -- but it does disappoint you initially. There is a sense of being abused, but you get over that.'' He added: "I can understand and fully support the need to be able to come to grips with the drugs in our society, but I do honestly believe that we should be able to question people who we think may be implicated one way or another.'' Mr. Pearman has voluntarily taken drugs tests -- which were negative -- and also offered to talk to the Police drugs squad in a bid to clear up the matter.

Commissioner Coxall was yesterday off the Island and not available for comment. A Police spokesman said Deputy Commissioner Jean-Jacques Lemay would not be available until today.

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY HOA POLICE POL