Government has objected to the appointment of top lawyer Saul Froomkin for the post of Honorary Canadian Consul, The Royal Gazette can reveal.

And the shock move is set to cause a crisis in the Island's relations with Canada -- which is likely to insist on its choice being approved.

The Royal Gazette understands ex-Attorney General Mr. Froomkin -- now in private practice -- has been picked by the Canadian government as its permanent representative in Bermuda.

One Canadian with close links to his government said: "It's unheard of for a jurisdiction like Bermuda to make objections like this. And I hope the Canadian government makes a firm stand on principle over this.'' And he warned: "After the controversy surrounding the Rebecca Middleton murder this is really going to be great for Bermuda's image in Canada.'' Another added: "It's kind of curious them telling another country who can represent it and their citizens. The Canadian Honorary Consul, after all, represents citizens of Canada having some trouble in Bermuda.'' The move is doubly embarrassing for Bermuda and the UK because Mr. Froomkin is said to be a friend of Canadian Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy.

And last night Acting Premier Eugene Cox was steering well clear of controversy.

He said he had met Canadian diplomats in the last few weeks -- but declined to say if Mr. Froomkin's name had come up.

"I would rather not make any comment at this time,'' Mr. Cox said.

Relations between the Island and Canada hit the rocks after the brutal killing of Canadian schoolgirl Rebecca Middleton in 1996.

Kirk Mundy was jailed that year for five years after admitting to being an accessory after the fact. Later attempts to recharge him with murder failed.

Justis Smith, 17 at the time of the killing, was cleared of the murder due to lack of evidence and abuse of process.

A Crown appeal against that judgment was successful. But another trial is still in doubt as Smith's defence team has asked Bermuda's final court of appeal, the Privy Council in London, to hear a counter-appeal.

The objection to Mr. Froomkin is believed to have been made because the ruling PLP is still smarting over Mr. Froomkin's role in the Opposition UBP's legal challenge to the appointment of political Attorney General Lois Browne Evans on age grounds.

See Editorial, Page 4 Canada's choice for Consul spurned by PLP Mr. Froomkin handled the case for the UBP.

And Mr. Froomkin is seen by many in the PLP's ruling circle as having been too close to previous UBP governments in his time as Attorney General.

Consular appointments in Overseas Territories are a matter for the foreign power, who notifies the Governor and the UK Government of their choice.

But it is understood the territories themselves are then notified of foreign government's choices -- with convention dictating the appointment is accepted without argument.

Mr. Froomkin yesterday declined to answer questions and Deputy Governor Tim Gurney could not be contacted for comment.

And Paul Roue of the Canadian Consul General's office in New York was staying tight-lipped over the row: "All I can tell you at the moment is that we are in the process of trying to appoint an Honorary Consul for Bermuda -- but no appointment has been made yet.'' And Mr. Roue referred further inquiries to the Canadian Ministry of External Affairs in Ottawa. A reply to questions is expected today.

Premier Jennifer Smith -- currently overseas -- could not be contacted for comment last night.

ATTORNEY GENERAL AG