chairmanship of the Public Service Commission.

And now he could mount a legal challenge to the reappointment of Mrs.

Jeannette Cannonier as PSC chairman.

Mr. Wade accused the Hon. Sir John Swan of failing to consult him over her reappointment.

This flouted the Bermuda Constitution, said Mr. Wade, who wanted Canon Dr.

Arnold Hollis to head the Commission.

"I am looking to see whether there is some legal redress.'' He added: "This is another example of the Premier showing no regard for Constitutional requirements. I am sick and tired of this type of thing happening.

"The public ought to understand what is going on. It is just a farce.'' But Sir John rejected Mr. Wade's allegation, stressing he had abided by the Constitutional requirement to consult the Opposition leader.

He said he had written to Mr. Wade over the PSC post before recommending to the Governor that Mrs. Cannonier be reappointed.

"Mr. Wade even acknowledged in the House of Assembly that I had written to him.'' He added: "The Governor can refuse my recommendation. All I do is put forward a recommendation.'' The Opposition Progressive Labour Party has objected to Mrs. Cannonier's reappointment on the grounds that she has been in the post 15 years, and it was time for a change.

Her latest five year-term as PSC chairman expired in the new year.

Mr. Wade had described Canon Hollis, rector of St. James Anglican Church in Sandys Parish, as "an ideal person'' to head the Commission.

He hailed Canon Hollis as a well-known Bermudian of "unimpeachable character'', noted for forthrightness and directness.

Mr. Wade said it was "rubbish'' for Sir John to claim he had consulted him over the position.

Sir John had written him one letter stating the appointment was coming up, and never heard from him again on the topic.

"That's not my idea of consultation,'' said Mr. Wade.

He added he had written to Sir John, requesting a meeting on the issue, but did not receive a response.

"The first I knew about Mrs. Cannonier being reappointed was when I read it in the official Gazette,'' said Mr. Wade.

Mr. Wade, a lawyer, said he was seeing whether Sir John could be legally challenged over the reappointment.

Sir John, however, hit back, accusing Mr. Wade of "totally misleading the public'' through his comments.

"I am following the procedure as laid down under the Constitution.'' He added: "For Mr. Wade to run around putting people's names forward to head the Commission -- and then publishing them -- is out of order.'' It was not for Mr. Wade to decide who would head the PSC.