constantine began his role as high commissioner in june 1961. in the new year's honours list for 1962, he was knighted and became sir learie constantine; among other accolades he received at this time was the freedom of the town of nelson. mason notes that constantine had now "passed firmly into the consciousness as a british treasure". however, his tenure as high commissioner ended in controversy. constantine felt that his high-profile required him to speak out on racial issues affecting all west indian immigrants, not just trinidadians. in april 1963, when a bristol bus company was refusing to employ black staff, constantine visited the city and spoke to the press about the issue. his intervention assisted in a speedy resolution of the affair which, according to mason, was crucial in persuading the british government of the need for a race relations act. however, politicians in both trinidad and britain felt a senior diplomat should not be so closely involved in british domestic affairs, particularly as he acted without consulting his government. williams effectively withdrew his support from constantine, who decided not to continue as high commissioner when his term expired in february 1964.