Opposition Leader Kim Swan would have had to stand down if he had been appointed the Port Royal golf pro.

It is understood Mr. Swan applied for the job of head professional but was pipped by Eric West.

However, if he had been successful he would have had to have relinquished his role as UBP Leader and MP.

Civil servants and Bermuda Government employees are not allowed to occupy roles in political life as it is seen as a conflict of interest.

Mr. Swan did not wish to comment on the matter to The Royal Gazette, so it is not known whether he was seriously considering standing down as Opposition Leader.

However UBP chairman Sean Pitcher confirmed that if successful, Mr. Swan would have had to have resigned.

Mr. Pitcher said yesterday: "I had no idea he had applied so this is something I haven't discussed with him.

"However, if he had been successful then he would have had a conflict. That's just a matter of the law.

"I can't speak for Kim but members of Parliament can't work for Government, so there would have been a conflict. Civil servants have to be politically neutral."

Mr. Swan is a former Port Royal professional and was the head pro at St George's Golf Course.

He was one of several members of the Bermuda Professional Golfers Association who applied for the position but were overlooked in favour of 25-year-old Mr. West, who has never been an assistant professional.

On Thursday BPGA members met to express disapproval at Mr. West's appointment.

Port Royal manager Bill Pitt however, defended his ability and talent. He told The Royal Gazette on Friday: "His overall skills, his concept of coaching, his understanding of commercialism, and his ability to communicate, along with his personable nature all made him qualified to do the job."

BPGA president Kevin Benevides said last night: "I would like to get some clarification from the Port Royal Board of Trustees on this appointment and then we will be in a better position to comment."

Asked whether Mr. Swan had applied for the position of golf pro, Mr. Benevides said: "He did. Kim has been in the business for a very long time."

UBP MP Darius Tucker said: "I have listened to radio reports and read the paper on this situation and clearly there are questions about the hiring of the new golf professional at Port Royal and his lack of experience relative to other applicants, at least five of whom are reportedly qualified BPGA members.

"I think the Port Royal Board needs to clear the air, that proper and fair rules of hiring were adhered to, particularly in relation to the specific requirements of the job and the experience of the applicants.

"Setting the record straight on the hiring of the new golf pro assuring the public that best practices were adhered to would be a step in the right direction for the Board."