of the ruling United Bermuda Party's campaign committee.

And the significant show of support is a clear sign of the Premier's backing of Susan Wilson's less than 12 months in the top party job, alongside Charles Marshall.

Mrs. Wilson and Mr. Marshall recently stood down from the joint post to make way for ex-Government Senator Michael Winfield.

The move came after confusion over the eligibility of would-Pembroke West by-election candidate Wayne Soares to even stand in a primary against the eventual by-election winner Gary Pitman.

But Ms Gordon said Mrs. Wilson took the job on a caretaker basis after she was elected Premier last year.

Ms Gordon said: "It really hurts me the way she has come across as no good or that she was somehow dumped.

"She took the job only for an interim period while we were waiting to pull together a campaign. She was doing me a favour by assisting me and I am very grateful for her help.'' The Royal Gazette revealed in January that hotelier Mr. Winfield -- campaign committee chairman under former Premier Sir John Swan at the last General Election -- was set to get into the driving seat again in the run-up to this year's elections.

But a UBP insider insisted then the Pembroke West row, where Mr. Soares had to drop out of the primary contest after finding he was time-barred, had nothing to do with the changes in the powerful backroom committee.

The shuffle in the powerful backroom committee was said to be a sign that the UBP was shifting up a gear for the General Election.

`It really hurts me the way she has come across as no good or that she was somehow dumped.' -- Premier Pamela Gordon on former UBP campaign chairman Susan Wilson