Rumbling and fiery - and that's just the relations between London and Montserrat

Downing Street Steps Into Montserrat Row

It is the latest twist in the political saga which has left nearly 4,000 people opting to remain on the island while their political leaders argue for more aid from London.

Ms Short had said that the Montserratians had been unrealistic in the help they'd expected from the British government. They accused her of deliberately trying to force them off the island, thus wiping their community off the map for good. In turn, she said the British government had already been very generous, adding that they would be asking for gold elephants before long.

And all this against the backdrop of an active volcano which could blow up again at any time.

In Britain opposition parties have criticised Ms Short's handling of the problem over the last two years. Jenny Tongue, Liberal Democrat spokeswoman said Ms Short's "undiplomatic, tactless, intemperate language" had not helped. She said that because Ms Short had not been to the island she does not understand the plight of Montserratians.

Both Ms Tongue and the Conservative spokesman, Alastair Goodlad, welcomed the action-group but said it should have been set up two years ago.

Tories Doubt Government Efforts to Help Montserrat

The Conservatives have called for an immediate government statement on the compensation arrangements for the residents of the Carribean island of Montserrat, which is threatened by volcanic eruptions.

Their spokesman, Alastair Goodlad, called on the International Development Secretary, Clare Short, to apologise for remarks she made about Montserrat's claims for more money.

Mr Goodlad demanded that the Government should stop "dithering" and make a fresh assessment of the need for compensation.

Tory spokesman Alastair Goodlad

The Government has "misinterpreted the situation"

Ms Short had accused the new administration of Montserrat of "sheer irresponsibility" and encouraging the islanders to hold out for higher compensation payments for an evacuation. She said the islanders were too greedy and would "be wanting golden elephants next".

On Sunday she tried to lower the temperature by saying the situation required cool heads. But she insisted that the island's leaders were misrepresenting the Government's position and offers of help.

Montserrat's new chief minister David Brandt says that the islanders' calls for financial assistance are not excessive: "We are not asking for luxury. Our people have lost everything they have. We are asking for them (the Government) to give us an opportunity to make a new start," said Mr Brandt.

Ms Short has declined an invitation to visit the island calling the offer of £41m "sufficient".

Menzies Campbell, the Liberal Democrats' chief foreign affairs spokesman, however, has called on the Government to use its reserve fund to help the islanders.

Antigua Needs More Help

Prime Minister Lester Bird has also said Britain must indicate how it expected Antigua (with a population of only 65,000) to integrate the 3,000 Montserratians who have already been evacuated to the island.

Mr Bird said: "Unless the British Government can produce very firm proposals backed by resources, Antigua and Barbuda is forced to offer itself as a haven for any more Montserratians only on a very short-term basis while arrangements are made for their transfer to Britain or elsewhere."