slighted'' by suggestions that the British government is not taking consultations over changes to the Island's Constitution seriously.

Former Deputy Governor Peter Lloyd said in yesterday's Royal Gazette that it was "unfortunate'' Foreign Office overseas territories head John White left on the first day of consultations on Monday.

Mr. Lloyd said he could understand the many people who told him they didn't believe Britain was taking the matter seriously.

But Mr. Hendry, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office deputy legal advisor, said: "I feel sad if people think we are not serious and feel almost personally slighted if that's what people think.

"John White is about to wind up his present job and move to another important job and has extreme pressure of business in London,'' yet he managed to come to Bermuda.

"It was certainly not intended as any slight or any suggestion that he did not care or that the British government did not care or take this seriously. I hope you can do what you can to correct any false impression.'' Governor Thorold Masefield said it was a mark of Mr. White's commitment to the consultation process that he took time to come to the Island with a only a few days remaining in his job.