THE appointment of Government MP and former Premier Dame Jennifer Smith as the new chairman of the Bermuda College Board of Governors has been condemned as "highly political" by the Opposition.

And United Bermuda Party MP Grant Gibbons has also raised questions over the choice of Duranda Greene as the next College president.

That appointment, which will come into effect next summer when current president Charles Green's contract expires, was also announced on Wednesday.

Dame Jennifer's appointment comes less than three weeks after former board chairman Nalton Brangman was sacked from his post by Education Minister Neletha Butterfield.

The timing of that decision ? Mr. Brangman had only served nine months of what was meant to be a three-year term ? was questioned by the Opposition after it was revealed Mr. Brangman had launched an inquiry into financial irregularities at the College.

He was ousted before completing his investigation of financial irregularities which were alleged to have taken place when Government Senator Raymond Tannock was the College board chairman.understands that Mr. Brangman presented his incomplete findings to the Public Accounts Committee earlier this week and that further inquiries are now under way.

This newspaper also understands that Mr. Brangman was pushing for a decision on Dr. Green's successor to be made as soon as possible but that his efforts were repeatedly knocked back.

The post was advertised in February but because the process dragged on for so long, three external candidates dropped out, leaving Dr. Greene and two other staff members to contest the post.

One source close to the controversy pointed out it was significant that the interview process was apparently stonewalled for seven months ? only for a decision to be reached within days of Mr. Brangman's departure.

Dr. Greene is believed to be a close friend of College deputy chairman Pandora Wright, who filled in as acting chairman following Mr. Brangman's dismissal.

Yesterday, Dr. Gibbons said: "The appointment of a highly political chairperson like Jennifer Smith to replace Nalton Brangman is totally inappropriate and not in the best interests of the College.

"The last thing the Bermuda College needs at the moment is to have another parliamentary member head the College Board of Governors. It should be apparent to everyone that the College has been very badly served in the past few years by an earlier chairman and other political board appointees who have used the College to serve the Government's political agenda, rather than the best interests of the College community.

"They were responsible for the sweetheart lease for the Stonington Beach property with Coco Reef owner John Jefferis. This was rushed through just before the 2003 General Election by the then chairman, Senator Tannock, without the College board's approval.

"This lease was the subject of a subsequent scathing report by the Auditor General and was clearly not in the best interests of the taxpayer or Bermuda College. In fact, the College is still dealing with the fallout from this political scandal.

"More recently, there are disturbing allegations that the selection of Dr. Duranda Greene as president designate was politically orchestrated to bypass more qualified internal candidates.

"It's also surprising that the community has not been told what her qualifications are for the position. What the College needs is less political interference and strong, experienced leadership to get back on track in properly fulfilling its mandate to students and the community.

Theyesterday asked Education Minister her reasons for sacking Mr. Brangman and if she was satisfied the selection process for a new President was carried out correctly. No response was received by Press time last night.