Bermuda's relations with the UK off her own bat.

And she said raising the controversial subjects of a Bermudian Governor and full Government control of the Police during meetings with top Foreign and Commonwealth Office ministers would not have been cricket.

Ms Gordon -- reacting to criticism from Opposition Members in the House of Assembly -- added: "This was not Pam Gordon going over there with her own agenda -- I have no hidden agenda.'' Ms Gordon -- who was invited to address a dinner meeting of the London-based Bermuda Society at the House of Lords -- described the meetings with Foreign Secretary Robin Cook and the junior Minister responsible for Bermuda, Baroness Symons, as "a courtesy call''.

She said the two politicians outlined some of the issues the UK Government was "bringing to the table'' in a rewriting of relations between Britain and it's Dependent Territories.

But Ms Gordon said she only discussed a forthcoming Dependent Territories Association, the benefits of attending a February Dependent Territories meeting and crime-busting laws.

She added the Proceeds of Crime Bill -- designed to seize assets from drug dealers and other major criminals -- was also discussed, especially the importance of "not getting hung up on fiscal offences''.

Ms Gordon said: "We did touch on the Police Service -- but only when we talked about how drugs are affecting our social stability.

"They wanted to be assured that Bermuda's focus on the top post was still that we are not going to give the job to somebody who was was not well-qualified just because it's a Bermudian.

"We are not in a position to discuss the Constitution until -- and when -- there is a submission from the Bermudian people.

"You cannot go on a courtesy visit and make light of such important matters without discussing it fully first.'' The Royal Gazette revealed earlier this week that Ms Gordon had "floated balloons'' on the Governor and Police -- but only in a preliminary submission on the Dependent Territories review to Governor Thorold Masefield.

Ms Gordon stressed then that an "official and final'' submission had yet to be made -- and insisted that would not be done without full consultation with Cabinet.

Walton Brown, a Progressive Labour Party member and chairman of the Committee for Independence, helped stage an Airport demonstration demanding a Bermudian Governor when ex-Governor Lord Waddington arrived to start his tour of duty in the early 90s.

He said: "We find it quite interesting that the Premier is now floating the issue -- we would certainly encourage her.'' He added: "Having a Bermudian Governor would convince Bermudians that we have the wherewithal to govern ourselves effectively by having these reserved powers vested in Bermuda.

"It's certainly an important step along the road to Independence.''