A dust-up between the UBP's "People's Five'' and party officers has intensified dramatically.

The rebel MPs yesterday questioned whether a party disciplinary committee hearing complaints into them acted legally.

And they are firing off a letter to party chiefs outlining their case.

"We are shocked and surprised by the committee,'' said one rebel, Clarence Terceira, yesterday.

The latest flare-up revolves around a letter the Caucus Procedures Committee sent to the rebels' lawyer, Wendell Hollis.

Mr. Hollis said the letter signalled the committee would not hear any further submissions from the rebels.

"It indicated they were going ahead to make recommendations in any event.'' He added: "We are in the process of making a substantial response. We feel there is a very serious question about the propriety of the way the committee are carrying on.'' The UBP's "People's Five'' -- Ann Cartwright DeCouto, Dr. David Dyer, C.V.

(Jim) Woolridge, Dr. Terceira and Trevor Moniz -- were hauled before the committee at the party's Chancery Lane headquarters earlier this month.

They were charged with "bringing the party into disrepute by their support of an Opposition motion of censure against the Premier''.

The allegations were filed by United Bermuda Party officers.

But during a one-hour meeting -- described as "business-like'' -- the rebels challenged the appropriateness of the hearing and the meeting broke up shortly afterwards, Mr. Hollis told The Royal Gazette .

Caucus committee chairman Sen. Larry Scott declined to discuss the contents of the meeting.

"This is a very delicate matter and I do not wish to compromise myself as chairman of the committee or for that matter compromise the interests of the other parties involved,'' he said.

The "People's Five'' have proved troublesome to Government since last year's Independence referendum.

They twice delayed debates on the future of the Base lands, and also sided with the Progressive Labour Party to pass a motion of censure against Premier David Saul.

In addition, they joined forces with the Opposition to get the Prohibited Restaurant Act through the Lower House.

Yesterday, Mr. Hollis said he received a letter from the committee last Wednesday.

He said he would be sending a letter back -- perhaps today.

"It's a technical letter which goes into the objections the five have fundamentally over the legality and propriety of the way in which the Caucus Procedures Committee and certain officers of the party are proposing to deal with the matter.

"We take the view that from a question of law that MPs are entitled to vote the way they feel is right without any form of retribution. That fundamentally is their argument.

Mr. Hollis said the letter would be sent to Sen. Scott, party chairman Sen.

Gary Pitman and Government Whip Rick Spurling.

He added he had tried in vain to find out what penalties the five MPs might face.

"I'm not prepared to speculate what they could be.'' Said Dr. Terceira: "It's a funny position we find ourselves in. As you know the hearing was adjourned last time.

"We don't know what is happening now. We've had half a meeting, so it's all rather strange.'' Dr. Terceira said he was not concerned by possible penalties.

"We know our principles are correct.'' Yesterday Sen. Scott could not be reached for comment, despite repeated attempts.