The British Government has ruled out the appointment of a Bermudian Governor -- at this time.

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman told The Royal Gazette that such a move would be "inappropriate''.

The restatement of the UK's position follows controversy over the appointment of a Briton, Thorold Masefield, as Bermuda's next Governor.

Chairman of the Committee for the Independence of Bermuda, Walton Brown, said there was precedence in British colonial history for a local Governor.

He cited the case of Sir Rupert John who was Governor of St. Vincent and the Grenadines from 1970 until 1976. The territory later became independent in 1979, said Mr. Brown.

"Under the Bermuda Constitution the British Government must appoint a Governor, but there is no requirement that the individual be a British citizen or indeed that British Dependent Territories Citizens -- which is the status we hold -- be excluded from this office,'' Mr. Brown argued.

But Clive Thompson, from the Foreign Office News Department, pointed out the Governor was appointed by the Queen, on the advice of the Secretary of State, following consultation with Bermuda's Premier.

"Given Her Majesty's Government's responsibilities under the Constitution of Bermuda, it would be inappropriate at this time to appoint a Bermudian Governor,'' he said.

In a written statement, Mr. Thompson explained the Governor had a dual responsibility: to Bermuda and to the British Government.

"It is not inconceivable that a Bermudian Governor, appointed by HM The Queen with the approval of the Government of Bermuda, might be instructed by HMG under for instance Section 62 of the Constitution (which deals with the Governor's special responsibilities) to follow a course of action which could conflict with the views of the then Government of Bermuda.'' Mr. Thompson said Britain needed to consider not only its international responsibilities, but also the best interests of Bermuda's people.

"In the past where a local Governor has been appointed this had been in the run up to Independence.'' Mr. Thompson added St. Vincent and the Grenadines was an "Associated State'' when Sir Rupert John was appointed Governor.

The territory had an advanced constitution and was in the final stages before Independence.

Last week Bermuda's former Deputy Governor Peter Lloyd made a similar point, citing the cases of Antigua, Dominica, St. Kitts and St. Lucia.

These countries -- like St. Vincent and the Grenadines -- probably had local people as Governors, too, he said.

"But none of these was really a true precedent, for they had by then all ceased to be dependent territories and become Associated States, following the enactment of the 1967 West Indies Act by Parliament in Westminster.'' NEW GOVERNOR -- John Thorold Masefield