A title fight has broken out between Government and the Opposition UBP, The Royal Gazette can reveal.

And Opposition insiders said party chiefs were furious at lack of Government help in allowing senior members of the last administration to retain the title "Honourable'' in front of their names.

It is understood that the retention of titles after ceasing to hold office was traditionally a matter for the Premier, who set the wheels in motion for the Queen's approval through the Governor.

But The Royal Gazette has been told UBP ex-Ministers got the brush-off from Premier Jennifer Smith's office and told -- if they wanted to keep the titles -- to apply for them themselves.

Protocol allows that to happen -- although it is understood that it is the first time a Government has not applied for the honours on behalf of ex-Ministers.

And one UBP insider said: "It's standard procedure for the Premier to do this -- but the incoming Government balked at the idea and wanted nothing to do with it.

"It was very petty and childish.'' It is understood Government House stepped in a bid to avoid a stand-off and offered its assistance in seeking Royal approval for the ex-Ministers.

Anyone who has served a minimum of a year as Premier, three years as a Minister or ten years as a Senator are eligible to keep their title.

The official gazette on Friday listed a total of six ex-UBP Ministers granted the title Honourable by Buckingham Palace.

They are led by ex-Premier Pamela Gordon and followed by former Speaker of the House Ernest DeCouto, former Deputy Premier Jerome Dill, ex-Tourism Minister David Dodwell, former Finance Minister Grant Gibbons and one-time Transport Minister Wayne Furbert.

Both Ms Smith and Ms Gordon were unavailable for comment. And Cabinet Office and Government House were staying tight-lipped over the controversy. Deputy Governor Tim Gurney said: "There is a system whereby people can request the retention of the Honourable title. We received requests from people who were entitled to the title and processed these applications for them.'' Cabinet Secretary Leo Mills said -- if the conditions were satisfied -- the titles could be retained.

But he declined to comment on claims ex-Ministers had been snubbed by Ms Smith.

The clash, however, is not the first between ex-Ministers and the new Government.

Top figures in the UBP who had Cabinet Minister endorsements on their passports were ordered to turn them in just days after the PLP took power so new ones could be issued without Ministerial rank identification.