US Consul General Bob Farmer is not leaving his Island post just yet.

It emerged yesterday that Mr. Farmer will hold the position for at least the next few months and possibly longer.

Mr. Farmer confirmed the report when contacted yesterday at Chelston -- his official residence on the Island which happens to be up for sale.

He explained that the US government did not wish to leave the post on the Island vacant until his replacement arrived.

Mr. Farmer's departure was announced in February of this year after the US State Department ruled that he should only serve for three years.

Mr. Farmer officially finished his term of office in August, but was asked at that time to stay on until replacement Vin Gupta, an executive with American Business Information in Nebraska, arrived.

After hearing the latest news that his departure was further delayed Mr.

Farmer said that it came as a bit of a shock but "it did not take me long to say yes''.

He said he would now vacate the post within 30 days of Mr. Gupta's scheduled arrival and added that he did not know when this would be as it was still subject to Senate approval.

Mr. Farmer has engaged in numerous farewell ceremonies over the past few weeks.

He will leave as planned on Monday but will return in time for Christmas.

Mr. Farmer was appointed by President Clinton in 1994 after raising $60 million as the treasurer of Mr. Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign.

His appointment ended an 18-month stint without a permanent US Consul General in Bermuda after Republican appointee Ebersole Gaines left the Island early in 1993.