prosecutor -- but ex-Solicitor General Barrie Meade could be brought in as a consultant, The Royal Gazette can reveal.

Principal Crown counsel Mr. Tokunbo is said by legal insiders to be unhappy at the deal of having to understudy a consultant for up to two years.

And it is understood a compromise solution with a consultant in place for a year or less could be acceptable.

It is believed the disagreement has contributed to the length of time since the new appointment was created and actually filling the $113,000-a-year job.

One legal insider laid the problem at the door of the Island's Government and political Attorney General Dame Lois Browne Evans.

The insider claimed the new Government is reluctant to experiment with legal appointments early in the new administration.

The insider said: "It seems to be coming from the hierarchy -- and that's strange from a Government which set out to Bermudianise where it could.'' He added letters of rejection had already gone out to some applicants for the DPP post -- even though no winner has been announced.

The insider claimed: "The new Government are still fumbling their way along.

"Bring somebody new in and you have the possibility of falling over even more.'' He added: "One thing is clear -- they don't know who they want, but they know who they don't want.'' Mr. Tokunbo has consistently declined to comment on whether he is in the race for the new job or on claims that there had been problems with the appointment.

Deputy Governor Tim Gurney -- who sat on the interview panel for the DPP's post -- declined to comment on the legal insider's claims.

But he added: "The interview board which was looking at this position had not yet reached a conclusion.'' The final offer, however, does not rest with either Governor Thorold Masefield or the Government, but the UK Foreign Office.

The Royal Gazette reported in June that interviews were set to take place for the job.

Up to a dozen people applied for the post -- most from overseas -- although the interview panel concentrated on interviewing as many as five on-Island candidates.

The interview panel makes a recommendation to Mr. Masefield, with supporting documentation.

But the results are forwarded to London, where Foreign Secretary Robin Cook will reach a final decision.

Mr. Cook has the option of accepting the advice of the panel -- or appointing someone different if he chooses.

The post of DPP had to be created due to the appointment of Dame Lois to the role of the first political Attorney General in modern times.

Public service AG's previously combined criminal work with being Government's main legal advisor.

Now Dame Lois will handle civil cases against Government and advise Cabinet on the law, while the DPP will take over criminal cases.

The separation of powers is needed to avoid the potential for conflict of interest and follows the English model.