The Yukon's MP doesn't think he was chastized by the prime minister in a caucus meeting despite a national news story to the contrary.

According to a story published today by the CanWest News Service, Bagnell was admonished by Prime Minister Paul Martin for a report he delivered during a private Liberal caucus meeting Thursday.

The story stated Martin had praised individual MPs for their work on various issues.

'Conversely, he criticized Yukon MP Larry Bagnell for failing to narrow down his priorities when he presented a report on international issues. Martin said the Liberal agenda must be more targeted to succeed, sources said,' according to the story.

The report did not state the source of the information about the private meeting.

Bagnell said today he will not discuss what happened during the caucus meeting.

'I wouldn't comment on what happened in caucus, but he did discuss my report, that's for sure,' he said of the prime minister.

The report the story referred to was forwarded by Bagnell as the head of the caucus' foreign affairs, defence and international aid committee.

While he wouldn't comment on the caucus meeting, Bagnell doesn't think it took the tone the story claims.

'I'm not sure how to interpret what was said but I wouldn't interpret it that way,' said Bagnell.

'I certainly didn't get the sense that we were presenting too many (suggestions).'

The MP said there are a lot of issues that should be addressed in terms of international aid, defence and foreign affairs.

'On the other hand, there's all sorts of things we need in (those) areas.'

The caucus meeting was one of the first for the governing Liberals since Martin became prime minister four weeks ago.

Besides heading the caucus committee, Bagnell is a parliamentary secretary, reporting to Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Andy Mitchell.

While Bagnell was allegedly criticized by the prime minister, according to the report, Ontario MPs Tony Valeri, a cabinet minister, and John Godfrey, another parliamentary secretary, were praised by the new prime minister for their hard work on other issues.

According to the story, the prime minister told his MPs to get geared up for a spring election.

See editorial, p. 10.