over his potshot at rebel MP Ann Cartwright DeCouto.

Former Deputy Premier and UBP elder statesman Clarence James labelled Mr. West a "political chameleon'' without credibility.

He said Mr. West had championed the cause of victorious Independent candidate Stuart Hayward during the February 1989 general election.

And he accused him of weakening the UBP grip in their Pembroke West Central stronghold.

The Pembroke West Central chairman was hardly now entitled to lecture Mrs.

Cartwright DeCouto on party loyalty, added Dr. James.

"Having assisted the United Bermuda Party in that election to lose the seat that I once held, I find it incredible that Terry West should be criticising anyone for `behaviour unbecoming to a representative for our area'.'' The ex-Finance Minister added: "People who live in glass houses should never throw stones.'' Government backbencher Trevor Moniz also sprang to Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto's defence yesterday.

He said Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto should be applauded -- not rapped -- for helping to hold up legislation affecting the base lands.

Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto had pushed forward "eminently sensible'' amendments to the law eventually accepted by Government, he added.

Yesterday's controversy erupted after Mr. West revealed Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto had been criticised by her Pembroke West Central branch for defying Government.

Mr. West said most of the anger stemmed from her support of a successful Progressive Labour Party censure motion against Premier David Saul.

He also said Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto failed to toe the party line on The Base Lands Development Act 1996, which created a corporation to oversee the management of the former military bases.

The "People's Five'' UBP rebels -- who include Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto and Mr. Moniz -- joined with the PLP in postponing debate on the bill, which was approved a few days later.

"That kind of behaviour is unbecoming to a representative for our area,'' said Mr. West.

Most recently, Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto clashed with her party over her Prohibited Restaurant Bill.

On Friday the bill passed the House of Assembly by a 23-16 vote after the PLP voted with Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto and the "People's Five''.

The bill bans food franchises from opening from May 10 this year and effectively killed off the Franchise Committee's report also debated last Friday.

It also halted former Premier Sir John Swan's plan for a McDonald's restaurant.

Mr. West said the Pembroke West Central branch had made its views known to Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto in writing and conversations.

He added he hoped the branch could work effectively with Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto now the franchise controversy had abated.

Yesterday former Pembroke West Central MP Dr. James wrote to The Royal Gazette saying he was "incensed'' by Mr. West's remarks.

"This same Terry West during the general election of February 1989 was a very active supporter of the successful Independent candidate, Stuart Hayward, an activity hardly considered to be a loyal act of a United Bermuda Party member or supporter.'' He added: "Having demonstrated what a political chameleon he can be, he has no credibility as a branch chairman in representing the views of United Bermuda Party members in Pembroke West Central.'' Mr. Moniz believed Bermudians would welcome amendments obtained by Mrs.

Cartwright DeCouto to the Base Lands Development Act 1996.

"The public can judge for themselves whether they think these amendments were useful.'' One amendment, said Mr. Moniz, made it a requirement any lease exceeding 21 years would have to come back to the Legislature for approval and be subject to public scrutiny.

"We think this is a very desirable thing,'' said Mr. Moniz.

He added another amendment confirmed planning permission was required for any development on the Base lands.

"Both amendments were accepted by Government and nobody could deny the amendments are in the best interests of Bermuda.

"Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto should be lauded for strength of character and courage under fire rather than be subject to these scurrilous attacks.''