The Island's first-ever political Attorney General yesterday slammed Governor Thorold Masefield for failing to appoint a top public prosecutor.

And veteran PLP MP Lois Browne Evans accused the Governor of dragging his feet over the appointment of an English-style Director of Public Prosecutions.

But Deputy Governor Tim Gurney yesterday insisted the process for creating a new DPP job demanded time so the best service could be provided.

Legislative Affairs Minister Mrs. Browne Evans -- who will become Attorney General on April 1 -- added that Bermuda already had Solicitor General William Pearce acting as Attorney General.

But she said that the Governor appointing Mr. Pearce as DPP while the job is thrashed out was against the spirit of the Constitution.

Mrs. Browne Evans said: "We're not happy with what he has done. It's taken him four months to get a DPP... the Premier has insisted she would be in limbo.'' She was speaking only minutes after Premier Jennifer Smith named Progressive Labour Party veteran Mrs. Browne Evans as the Island's first political Attorney General.

The Royal Gazette predicted earlier this month that Mrs. Browne Evans would be appointed to the job at the start of April.

Mrs. Browne Evans added the Solicitor General should be working as her "right hand man'' on the civil law side when she officially takes up the post on April 1.

And she said Mr. Pearce "didn't do any criminal work'' and was not best suited for the job. She added: "It's an unfortunate thing he has done -- I would hope he would undo it as fast as he can and appoint a Bermudian.'' Mrs. Browne Evans added that it "was a sore point'' that the AG's Chambers were not Bermudianised -- and called on Mr. Masefield to appoint a Bermudian to the post.

She said: "I agree with it -- it's time that department was Bermudianised -- there are enough people and enough lawyers being called to the Bar to Bermudianise the Attorney General's Chambers.

But she admitted: "I cannot make him do it -- if I could he would have done so in the last three months.'' Mr. Gurney, however, said: "No-one has been dilatory in any way. We're almost there -- it's not a simple procedure.

"We wanted to make sure the job description reflected the latest thinking on the nature of the post of DPP to make sure we've got it right.

"There are different models you can have for the separation of the DPP and the remainder of the Attorney General's chambers.

"We wanted the best possible input because we want Bermuda to have the best possible system.'' And he steered clear of calls for a Bermudian to be chosen to head the criminal prosecution system.

Mr. Gurney said: "The Minister is, of course, entitled to her views on this.'' Pioneer becomes Attorney General Mrs. Browne Evans identified faster drafting of new legislation as a priority for her new job -- and she did not rule out extra legal staff to accomplish that.

She added increased payment to reflect her new responsibilities would be subject to a resolution going to Parliament, although she said there was still some doubt over whether she would be paid as a Government Minister or as a public servant.

Earlier, Ms Smith said: "The appointment of Mrs. Browne Evans is significant for Bermuda ..she is regarded as a pioneer in both the legal profession and in politics in Bermuda.

"Along with her outstanding record as a Parliamentarian, she has given the Progressive Labour Party invaluable guidance in our new role as the Government of Bermuda.''