Mr. Edness took issue with behind-the-scenes talk the Premier should resign over his handling of the Independence issue.

He rejected suggestions the Premier should step down saying he was "still the best person to lead the Country and the best person to lead the United Bermuda Party.'' Mr. Edness described Sir John Swan as "extremely energetic about the problems facing the country and the promises made to the people.'' He described the Premier as a leader who was respected abroad and who inspired confidence in the international business community.

"All of these things seem to have been forgotten as qualities of his leadership,'' he said.

Mr. Edness said it was true there were vast differences of opinion in the examination of the Independence issue both within the UBP and the community.

"But as indicated by The Royal Gazette Independence survey, the majority of Bermudians would like to have objective information put before them on our present constitutional position and what it might be like should they wish to seek a change.'' The Royal Gazette's poll found 58 percent of registered voters thought the pros and cons of Independence should be examined.

"What Sir John Swan is doing is causing an honest examination of the facts to be carried out and put before the people,'' Mr. Edness said.

Mr. Edness took issue with the headline in yesterday's story -- Swan being pressured to step down -- as "hogwash and mischief-making''. No one was pressuring the Premier to resign.

He added that people should not be concerned about suggestions in the newspaper story that the Premier's decision-making ability was weakened because he no longer had the counsel of Sir John Sharpe or Mr. Ken Richardson, the former Cabinet secretary.

He was particularly critical of suggestions that Mr. Richardson -- long the Island's top civil servant -- was giving the Premier political advice.

"As head of the civil service he did not and would not advise the Premier on political matters,'' he said. "That was not his job.'' In addition, Mr. Edness said Sir John Sharpe's counsel was still available to the Premier should he want it.

Friday's newspaper story was based on interviews with UBP members and MPs, who spoke on condition of anonymity.