Former Premier Dame Jennifer Smith has resigned as chairman of Bermuda College Board ? after less than three weeks in the job. The news was confirmed by the Ministry of Education yesterday but a Government spokesman would not comment on whether any reasons for the resignation were given.

The spokesman said: ?We can confirm that Dame Jennifer Smith has resigned her recent appointment as chairperson of the Bermuda College Board of Governors. The Ministry will be making a statement on that in due course.?

Dame Jennifer was appointed by Neletha Butterfield soon after Ms Butterfield was made Education Minister in Alex Scott?s September Cabinet re-shuffle.

Her resignation comes hot on the heels of Ms Butterfield returning to the Ministry of Environment and Randy Horton being given the Education brief.

A source at the College said that Dame Jennifer had not chaired a meeting of the Board of Governors since her appointment. A board meeting due to be held yesterday was cancelled. The source said the resignation could be seen as standard practice bearing in mind the change of leadership at the Ministry of Education.

But they added: ?I think it?s deeper than that because she was a devout follower of Alex Scott ? or rather he was a devout follower of her.?

Dame Jennifer was appointed after Ms Butterfield sacked former board chairman Nalton Brangman when he had served just nine months in the post.

He had been conducting an investigation on behalf of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) into alleged perks received by College President Dr. Charles Green.

Mr. Brangman?s report to the committee alleged that the College was spending public funds without proper financial controls and that perks were enjoyed by Dr. Green without the permission of the Board of Governors. Dr. Green denies any wrongdoing.

PAC chairman Patricia Gordon-Pamplin is due to table a report on the inquiry in the House of Assembly later this month.

Dame Jennifer did not respond to a email request for comment yesterday.