Another top US political figure has turned down the plum job of US Consul General in Bermuda, according to a Washington insider.

Deputy White House counsel Bruce Lindsey -- said to be embattled president Bill Clinton's most trusted confidant -- visited the Island in September to check out the posting.

But Al Kamen of the Washington Post claimed that Mr. Lindsey, who has worked for Mr. Clinton for nine years, did not believe the Island had enough to offer him.

Mr. Kamen said Mr. Lindsey "must have been impressed'' by "the palatial digs on the 14 acre, oceanfront estate'' -- although Chelston is set to be sold off -- and that the Island was "a golfer's dream.'' But he added: "Lindsey, who's not known to be given to lavish entertaining -- which is, of course, what one does in Bermuda -- isn't a golfer and apparently didn't think the Island had that much going on to keep him busy.'' And Mr. Kamen predicted current US Consul Robert Farmer, who has held the job for five years, "could be in for a long haul.'' US Consul Sylvia Hammond said: "I can confirm that he did come and that he doesn't play golf.'' But she declined to comment on reports that Mr. Lindsey had been in line for the top US diplomatic job on the Island.

Top Democrat fundraiser Vin Gupta, a businessman from Omaha, also turned down the job.

The Royal Gazette reported last September that Mr. Lindsey had visited the Island and stayed at Chelston with Mr. Farmer.

Mr. Lindsey's visit came just after he appeared before a grand jury as part of the Starr probe in President Clinton.

But the lawyer declined to discuss presidential secrets, saying the Supreme Court had not ruled on his claim of attorney-client privilege.

Mr. Lindsey, however, did spend four hours being grilled on questions not considered to be protected by privilege.

He is considered a key figure in the probe into the president's relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky -- now the subject of the first presidential impeachment hearing for more than 130 years.