before the next General Election.

Mr. Edness -- who represents crucial Warwick West -- was last night considering his political future after leaving Cabinet in Premier Pamela Gordon's massive reshuffle.

An emotional Mr. Edness said: "There is nothing definitive yet -- I have had talks with my branch chairman and friends and I intend to continue talking with my colleagues up in Warwick.'' But he added: "Should I run, I have a very good chance of winning Warwick West and I will be out there canvassing until such time that any other decision is made.'' Mr. Edness said the Premier had offered him a number of Cabinet posts -- but that he had decided it was time to "give others a chance to serve.'' And former Environment Minister Irving Pearman -- also dropped from Cabinet yesterday -- and who represents another tough marginal, Warwick East, will definitely go at the end of the current Parliament.

Premier Pamela Gordon paid a touching tribute to the 1968 veteran of the House of Assembly and Mr. Pearman as she announced her radical shake-up of Cabinet yesterday at Government House.

She said: "We have two Members who have served this Country well...and given dedicated service. I would like to thank them for all the years of committed and dedicated service they have given to this Country.'' Ms Gordon said both Ministers had come to her and "made it very clear'' they were prepared to step down to allow new blood a chance.

She added: "Mr. Edness in particular has offered to assist me in any way I need. For that I'm extremely grateful. Mr. Edness is the epitome of someone who really cares about Bermuda.

"The Country can only continue to be richer from the service he will continue to give.'' Mr. Edness -- his voice cracking with emotion -- admitted: "There is always sadness at a time like this.

"I'm sad to come out of the Cabinet and I would like to say that, for as long as I can remember, all I have wanted to do was serve the people of this Country and I'm grateful to God for having given me the chance to do that.

"But the time has come for me -- it's always a sad time when you have to make a decision to move over and let younger people take over the responsibility.'' And the political heavyweight put himself firmly in the Premier's corner.

He said: "I've served under many Premiers, but it's been a special privilege to serve under Pam Gordon. I'm sure the people will recognise her dedication and her vision for this country. Her vigour and vision for this Country is inspiring.

"I'm here for any job she wishes to give me and I'm here if she wants to seek my counsel. I wish her and her new Cabinet all the very best.'' He added he would be helping the Premier in the run-up to the General Election and with the UBP organisation.'' Progressive Labour Party campaign chairman Calvin Smith, however, suggested that controversy over Operation Cleansweep had led to the departure of the two.

The two Ministers were at the heart of controversy surrounding Operation Cleansweep and the departure of then-Commissioner of Police Colin Coxall shortly afterwards.

Mr. Edness was in charge of the force at the time Mr. Pearman was caught up in the drugs-busting operation. Two men arrested in the bust were found to have cheques made out by Mr. Pearman.

The then-Environment Minister denied any involvement in drugs and said the cheques were payment for work around his home. He was never charged with an offence.

Mr. Coxall quit shortly afterwards -- but Government insisted the breach had nothing to do with Cleansweep, but was down to Mr. Coxall's failure to come up with a succession plan designed to prepare Bermudian officers for the top Police jobs.

Both ex-Ministers last night poured cold water on Mr. Smith's claims.

Mr. Edness pointed out he had been offered other jobs, but had opted to step aside.

He said: "This has nothing to do with the Coxall matter. Mr. Pearman took his decision and suggested to the Premier it would probably be better if he didn't have a Cabinet post and I did the same thing quite independently. I didn't know what Mr. Pearman was doing at the time.'' Mr. Pearman, 71, added that he had welcomed the chance to lighten his workload.

And he said of the Cleansweep controversy: "I've outlived all of that -- and I've outlived one of the authors of that. Things like that don't worry me -- It did not influence my decision at all.'' Mr. Pearman added he had only come back into Cabinet because he had been asked. And he said the Premier "had known for some time'' that he would want to go in a reshuffle.

He added: "There comes a time when you have to step aside to allow new ideas to shape and form the kind of Bermuda the young want to see.''