A row over the make-up of the powerful commission which picks top Civil Servants and Police chiefs has rocked relations between Premier Jennifer Smith and Governor Thorold Masefield, it was claimed yesterday.

A political insider said the PLP wanted to axe the current Public Service Commission and replace the members with their own choices.

He added: "They have been putting pressure on to appoint their own people -- the Governor has bluntly refused.'' And it is understood Mr. Masefield's firm stance has sparked a row with Premier Jennifer Smith.

Stephen Kendell -- appointed chairman of the Commission for a five-year term in 1998 -- said: "I do understand that the Premier felt that everybody should resign.

"I, and the other members, have said we would not because we are not political appointees -- we are in fact nominated by the Governor. Each member is given a commission which has a fixed period to run -- we're going to stay there and do our jobs because we're not a political body.

And Mr. Kendell added: "The Commission is there to prevent politics interfering with the appointment of Civil Servants.'' But he said he had no knowledge of a clash between the Premier and Government House.

The PSC is responsible for senior appointments in the Civil Service and the top Police jobs.

It also has responsibility for disciplinary matters within the Civil Service at the appeals' stage.

And its role could be crucial within the next year or so when Commissioner of Police Jean-Jacques Lemay's contract runs out and decisions have to be made on a replacement.

Deputy Governor Tim Gurney was yesterday staying tight-lipped over the controversy.

He said: "The Governor and the Premier have, in recent weeks, talked about the composition of all sorts of boards.

"Some are at the discretion of the Governor -- some are for the Premier to decide on.

"The two, with the change of Government, have discussed all sorts of boards and appointments.'' Ms Smith is in London for talks with the UK Foreign Office, while Ms Gordon is off the Island. Neither could be contacted for comment.

Acting Opposition leader Grant Gibbons said he was not aware of a row -- but sounded a warning over tampering with the current PSC set-up.

He said: "We have to recognise that the PSC was put there expressly to avoid the possibility of political patronage in appointment of people to positions within the Civil Service.

"It would be most unfortunate, given some of the comments made by members of the PLP about loyalty tests for Civil Servants a few years ago, if there was seen to be more political control of appointments to the Civil Service.'' And he added: "The Governor would be quite right in maintaining the position -- although I'm sure he's open to suggestions -- that this is a body which is apolitical and one which is his responsibility to appoint.'' The PSC -- unlike other Government boards -- has its members appointed for three to five years by the Governor.

The Governor makes his picks after consultation with the Premier, who must consult the Opposition Leader -- and no-one can fire Commission members except him.

The PLP have already made a clean sweep of dozens of other Government boards as they are appointed by Ministers, not the Governor.

But the powerful PSC -- set up under the Island's Constitution to keep politics out of Government appointments -- is fireproofed under current laws.