from the company's top post, The Royal Gazette can reveal.

It is understood that his move came after a work colleague from the US repeatedly failed to follow his orders yet still received the support of his employers.

Alabama-based McDonald Consulting -- which is a major shareholder in the firm and oversees its business operations -- broke the news to staff at the local cable television company in a memorandum this week.

McDonald Consulting's Jack Standridge told staff: "I have been informed via letter that Carl Musson has resigned his position as executive manager of the company. This has come as a complete shock to me.'' Mr. Musson could not be reached for comment yesterday.

And Bermuda Cablevision lawyer Alan Dunch said: "On behalf of the board of directors (at Bermuda Cablevision) I can confirm to you, with some regret, that Carl Musson unexpectedly and without notice tendered his resignation on the evening of Friday, November 24, 2000.

"Beyond that, at this stage, the board would prefer to make no further comment unless/until it needs to.'' Sources disclosed yesterday that Mr. Musson had become disenchanted with the firm after McDonald Consulting hired Jackie Previto to work as a consultant and advisor to him.

And while she was to report and be accountable to him, Ms Previto allegedly went over his head to McDonald Consulting on a daily basis and instructed the staff as to their duties without consulting Mr. Musson, alleged the sources.

A source claimed Ms Previto was selected by McDonald Consulting to actually run the company and Mr. Musson was chosen as a Bermudian "figurehead'' for it.

"Ms Previto was there just before Mr. Musson got there in May and the staff was told she was in charge. Then when Mr. Musson got there we were told he was in charge and she was obviously disappointed.

"That's when the friction started. She never liked him. He bent over backwards for her but it didn't matter. The people who were there knew he was just a token black face in charge.'' But a source noted: "If he was allowed to do his job, he could have been pretty good at it.'' Meanwhile two top-ranking employees at Bermuda Cablevision left and Ms Previto took over their roles as Chief Engineer and Assistant General manager.

And a source noted that it would not be surprising if more members of the company decided to leave.

"An unfortunate consequence of this is that the staff continues to view the McDonald group with suspicion and mistrust. I wouldn't be surprised if more staff left.''