when former Commanding Officer Sen. David Burch appeared to suggest that his successor should resign.

Sen. Burch, who is also chief of staff in the Cabinet Office, said in the Senate on Wednesday that "either people need to resign or people need to be fired or people need to be moved''.

He added that Regiment officers "do not go outside that organisation to get recourse -- unless it's the only way you get results'' and said the time had come for "action''.

Sen. Burch's comments were ill-timed. After The Royal Gazette first reported on the "mini-mutiny'', the Defence Board appointed a task force of four members to examine the problem.

That committee is made up of Colonel Eugene Raynor, the Regiment's first black Commanding officer and now the Regiment's Honorary Colonel, former Commanding officer and current Defence Board chairman Allan Rance, respected former officer Capt. Larry Burchall and the Rev. Goodwin Smith, who is also chairman of the Human Rights Commission. That body is still conducting its investigation. For some reason, Sen. Burch has taken the view that "action'' has to be taken now.

Perhaps Sen. Burch knows more about the investigation than this newspaper and feels it is going wrong.

But, wearing his second hat, as chief of staff, he has put a good deal of pressure on the Defence Board members. Are they now to believe that this is Government's position? That it wants Lt. Col. Patrick Outerbridge and his staff officer out? Premier Jennifer Smith says that anyone with an open mind should welcome Lt.

Col. Burch's remarks, given that during his five years as Commanding Officer of the Regiment, "a season of unconflicted service was given'' and that "a term of if not racial harmony, certainly a greater understanding of different classes, different ethnic backgrounds were created under a very innovative, creative and strong leadership''.

Ms Smith points out, rightly, that the appointment and dismissal of the Commanding Officer lies with the Governor, not with her Government and that all she, or her Ministers, can do, is pass complaints on. But the Defence Board cannot avoid being influenced -- or being accused of being influenced -- by Sen. Burch's statements, and Ms Smith's endorsement of them.

It should also be remembered that Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox is responsible for the Regiment, not the Cabinet Office, but it is now difficult to see who is making policy.

This is not to suggest that the officers who now seem to be pushing for the removal of their Commanding Officer may not have legitimate concerns or that they feel these concerns are not being answered. But there are channels and methods of dealing with those concerns and it seemed that the Defence Board was taking the right approach.

Sen. Burch has now publicly undermined his successor, while admitting he would seriously consider taking his old job back.

He has undermined the Cabinet Minister responsible for the Regiment by making the running on policy which Ms Cox may not have even been asked to consider yet.

And should the Defence Board recommend that Lt. Col. Outerbridge remain in his post, he has potentially shattered what authority his successor may have had -- and damaged the internal discipline of the Regiment for a long time to come.