another ministerial role if asked by the Premier.

In an interview with The Royal Gazette , the former Environment Minister, who was sacked from Cabinet after unsuccessfully challenging Jennifer Smith to the leadership, said he was still very willing to serve.

And speaking for the first time about his departure since the dismissal in November, he said he would have been prepared to resign his post, if asked.

The Premier said at the time she had been forced to sack Mr. Hodgson from his post four days after the challenge because he had not tendered his resignation.

But Mr. Hodgson said: "If the Premier had written asking for my resignation, I was certainly prepared to offer it.

"But I felt if she did not request it, there would be no need to offer it.

"I don't think it makes a great deal of difference whether I resigned or was dismissed.

"The fact of the matter is that the Premier did not want me anymore.'' But he said he did not feel disappointment after the failed challenge or sacking.

I'm willing to serve -- Hodgson He said he always knew the consequences and was prepared to face them when the time came.

"I have always said I was prepared to serve the party, in what ever capacity, if I'm asked, and that still remains,'' he added.

"That is why I went for leadership. Parliamentarians and delegates asked me not to decline if I was nominated. I gave it a lot of thought. There was a certain amount of stress. I tried to discern whether or not that is what Christ would have done.

"But the best advice I received was from a Christian friend of mine, he asked me if I was willing to serve. In that context, I found it very difficult to say I was not willing.'' And a new slimmer Mr. Hodgson, who has been able to spend more time with his family and carrying out work in his home and garden since his dismissal, said he had no regrets whatsoever.

The former teacher and lawyer, who has lost 20lbs in weight since losing his position, said the time around the leadership challenge was stressful, but he said he and the Premier believed elections were healthy and always remained on friendly terms.

He added: "I didn't think I would be voted in. I knew that the members of Parliament supported me because they had told me, but I had no way of knowing what the delegates were going to do.

"In the circumstances, it was safe to assume they would go with the status quo. When the vote came back I congratulated the Premier on her victory.

"I suppose there is always some element of disappointment in what is perceived in the loss of a contest, but for me, as always, the real contest was whether or not I was doing the right thing.'' And he said he always knew losing his Cabinet post was a possibility.

Mr. Hodgson continued: "I knew enough about the Premier to know that was an option, so I can't say I was surprised when she told me to go.

"The Premier and I have always been friendly -- it was a courteous meeting.

She has always had my full support and continues to receive it.

"I went to great pains to make sure there was no division in Government on the run up to the challenge. The success of the Government is the most important thing.'' But the backbencher said he wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone who offered him support on the announcement of his departure.

He said his telephone never stopped ringing and one male Government MP, who he refused to name, even cried on the phone because he was so saddened by the news.

"I thought being out of Cabinet was going to be a bit of a relief, but my phone still rings constantly,'' he added.

And asked whether or not he thought he had been successful as Environment Minister, he said that was for the public to decide.

"I'm not here to be Premier -- I could not care less,'' he reflected.

"It's in the nature of things that political office comes, but being in political office is not the goal.

"Serving the people is.''