One day after Fisheries Minister Loyola Hearn announced he will not be running in the next federal election, the war of words continued with Premier Danny Williams, who slammed the minister at a press conference Friday.

"The one thing that my cabinet ministers have done throughout is stood up for their constituents, for the electorate and the people they were elected to represent and they have done that. And it's unfortunate in the last few years that Loyola hasn't done the same thing," Williams said in St. John's.

Williams was reacting Friday to comments Hearn made on a public call-in show after his Thursday announcement, calling the premier a dictator and accusing him of being "as gutless as a capelin."

"As well, if anyone would recognize a dictator he certainly worked for one, so he'd know a dictator I can guarantee ya," Williams said.

Williams continued to say he isn't surprised that Hearn won't be seeking re-election, adding he thought his political career ended when Prime Minister Stephen Harper failed to live up to the promise on equalization from the last federal election.

Williams releases rallying e-mail

Williams vowed to lead an anti-federal Conservative Party campaign in 2006 when he said Harper reneged on election promises surrounding the equalization formula, a campaigned he coined "ABC" or "Anything but Conservative."

On Thursday, CBC News obtained an e-mail Williams sent to members of his caucus, asking for their support in the anti-Conservative campaign in the expected federal election. On Friday, Williams released that e-mail to the media.

"I was also personally offended when the prime minister told me in a face-to-face meeting that he did not need Newfoundland and Labrador to form a government.

"As we discussed in caucus, each of you is free to take your own position in the federal election campaign. There will be no consequences for doing so from a caucus perspective ..."

Williams continued: "Given the short time before the likely election call, I would sincerely appreciate it if you could reply to me before the end of the day to indicate where you intend to stand in the federal campaign. Specifically, please advise in writing if you support the government's position against the Harper government or if you will be supporting the government of Stephen Harper."

The e-mail was dated Sept. 3.