Bermudians with a very bad case of the jitters. People are convinced that Colin Coxall was a large part of the solution for Bermuda and that despite his huge successes he was pushed out of Bermuda for purely political reasons.

Because there are unanswered questions, many Bermudians and many people in the international company sector no longer believe Bermuda is governed in an upright and straightforward manner. They are deeply concerned that the Colin Coxall Affair indicates Bermuda is headed downhill and may not recover. It is not unusual now to hear very serious people refer to this Country as Third World or a Banana Republic. There is a crisis of confidence in Bermuda's future.

Bermudians want a strong and safe Country. They want to be secure themselves and they want visitors to be secure. They want something clear and sensible done about drugs. They saw Colin Coxall as a vital part of the solution.

International companies need to do their business in a place which is well run and stable and where there is a strong rule of law. As we understand it, those in the tourist business are nervous about future offences against visitors and those with offshore companies are already being approached by other jurisdictions who are pointing out Bermuda's failures.

Yet, aside from spreading rumours and dealing in some highly questionable statements, Government has done nothing to reassure people. The whole confusion is littler short of a tragedy which could have been easily avoided.

It seems to us that the crisis is now so severe that it must be dealt with for the sake of the Country. It does not matter now what Government says because people will not accept it. Credibility has been lost and there is a wide perception that Bermudians have been misled.

There are two possible solutions. One is an investigation of the Coxall Affair launched from London because the Constitution says the Governor and, by extension, London and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, has responsibility for the Police and internal security.

The second solution would be a Royal Commission sitting in public and inquiring into the entire circumstances of the going of Colin Coxall.

It seems to us that if Government has nothing to hide and if everything was above board, it will readily agree to a Royal Commission in the interests of its own integrity. It cannot really refuse because to do so would be to confirm in people's minds the suspicions which are already prevalent.