Director of Marine and Ports Services Barry Coupland admits it is an "open secret" he is not happy with his reputation being questioned as part of his deputy's legal action against the Government.

Bermudian Michael Dolding, the department's assistant director, is taking legal action against the Public Service Commission (PSC) after he claimed it did not follow the correct procedure with applicants for the director's role.

The civil action, being heard in Supreme Court, has been adjourned awaiting the verdict of Assistant Justice Charles-Etta Simmons, leaving the two men, whose offices are opposite each other in the East Broadway complex, to continue to work together.

Mr. Coupland is adamant that there has been no breakdown of personal relations between the two men, although he is unhappy that he has been dragged into the court case.

"I knew about this legal action before I arrived here," he told The Royal Gazette.

"And, no, it didn't put me off coming. I have no problem with what Mr. Dolding is doing. A man has to do what a man has to do. If he wants to take on the Government then he is perfectly entitled to do so.

"But I didn't anticipate that my own credibility and suitability for this job was going to be placed under scrutiny.

"I have become the guy who gets dragged backwards through the Supreme Court for not having the right qualifications. It has caused me some undue quandaries for some time."

Mr. Coupland has used a number of days of vacation leave to view proceedings in Supreme Court in which he has been implicitly criticised for failing to meet the mandatory qualifications for the director's post.

But he is keen to reassure the public that it is "business as usual" in the Government office.

"Despite Fabian and this legal business, it is very much business as usual," he added.

"There are no personality issues here and as a result our professional relationship remains as it should be. We are both working in the best interests of the Marine and Ports Services and that is our focus at this busy time."

Mr. Coupland, a 62-year-old New Zealander, father of two and runner of 38 marathons, arrived last February and is contracted with the Government until February, 2005.

Although Mr. Dolding was unwilling to comment until the completion of legal proceedings, it is understood he shares a similar attitude and is keen to go about business as usual despite the unusual predicament.

Mrs. Justice Simmons' decision is expected in approximately three months.