James Astwood had been appointed president of the Court of Appeal.

Opposition leader Mr. Frederick Wade told MPs he had seen a letter revealing the appointment, although he had not been consulted about it.

Mr. Wade said he was firmly opposed to a Bermudian being given the job.

Sir James' appointment was "incestuous,'' declared Mr. Wade.

But Health Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness took issue with Mr. Wade's statement declaring, "It was the worst thing he possibly could have said.

"I hope one day we will have more men and women born in Bermuda on the bench,'' Mr. Edness continued. "I hope we have young people as we speak aspiring to those positions.'' Mr. Wade said the Court of Appeal was one area where the PLP did not want a policy of Bermudianisation.

He added the Court of Appeal should be made up of non-Bermudians who could take a fresh look at court cases.

Mr. Edness said Mr. Wade, as a lawyer himself should know Sir James was a trained professional who could bring the same level of objectivity to any court case.

Nevertheless, Mr. Wade asked: "If Sir James is too old to be Chief Justice, how is he old enough to be President of the Appeal Court? "If Sir James has not been appointed yet it should be rethought. Government should have an opinion on this.'' Mr. Wade also said he had heard rumours other justices on the Appeal Court were retiring.

"I hope the rumour-mongers are wrong.'' In February, The Royal Gazette revealed Sir James had been sworn in as a judge on the Court of Appeal.