Bermuda in February.

David Keough was axed from his high-paying post as chief financial officer with Texaco's Bermudian subsidiary Heddington Insurance last November.

The move followed a Texaco probe into tapes recording company bosses uttering racial slurs and discussing destroying documents needed for a law suit.

Mr. Keough told The Royal Gazette yesterday that he had retained top New York lawyer Stephen Kauffman -- but declined to discuss any legal moves he may be considering.

A storm of protest erupted last year when tapes of four senior executives were made public.

It was alleged Texaco officials were discussing destroying documents needed for a racial discrimination suit against the firm.

And it was claimed some of the executives -- although not Mr. Keough -- uttered racial slurs against black employees.

Mr. Keough transferred to Heddington from Texaco after the tapes were made.

It is thought Mr. Keough was on a three-year work permit secured by Heddington when he started work in September 1995.

But it is thought the permit was specific to one company and one job so could not be transferred elsewhere.