By Raymond Hainey Governor Thorold Masefield was not forced into a choice between a top Minister and ex-Police Commissioner Colin Coxall, Government House revealed.

Deputy Governor Peter Willis said Mr. Coxall opted to resign over a loss of confidence in him by Government.

Mr. Willis added that there had been a "long-term erosion'' in the relationship between Mr. Coxall and Government, especially Labour and Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness, who speaks for the Police in the House of Assembly.

He said: "It wasn't a choice between the Minister and the Commissioner -- the fact was that the Commissioner had lost the confidence of Government.

"This was a matter about which the Commissioner had previously expressed concern. In these circumstances, Mr. Coxall resigned.'' Mr. Willis spoke out after Mr. Edness revealed the extent of the breakdown in trust between himself and Mr. Coxall on the opening day of the new session of the House of Assembly on Friday.

He told MPs that he had informed Premier Pamela Gordon after a row with Mr.

Coxall over the drawing up of a succession plan to prepare Bermudians for the top Police jobs that he could no longer work with the Commissioner.

Mr. Edness said he had told the Premier he was prepared to resign and informed the Governor he would go if Mr. Masefield felt it was necessary for Mr. Coxall to remain in post.

Mr. Edness spoke out in a bid to quash speculation that Mr. Coxall's decision to go was involved with the drugs-busting Operation CleanSweep and a claims of a fear among Ministers that impartial US drugbusters recruited to assist the Island Police in the swoop "might turn up more that Government could face.'' Mr. Edness told the House that Government was committed to crushing crime and dismissed the claims.

Mr. Willis declined to comment on the Minister's statement -- but it is understood from other sources that the Governor has no quarrel with the thrust of Mr. Edness' speech.

But Shadow Labour and Home Affairs Minister Alex Scott predicted the Country had not heard the last of the Coxall controversy.

He said that, in meetings with Mr. Coxall at the start of his Island career, the Commissioner told him that he was pessimistic about potential leaders above the rank of Sergeant.

Mr. Scott added: "That's where we parted company -- I find it extraordinary Mr. Edness couldn't have come to these conclusions earlier.'' And he said: "I don't think we have heard the full story and we have reason to believe there is more to it.'' GOVERNOR GOV