BEVERLY HILLS (California) - OFFICIALS of the Miss California USA pageant strongly criticised some of the actions of titleholder Carrie Prejean on Monday but said it's not their decision whether she should be stripped of her crown for publicly working with organisations opposed to gay marriage.

Co-executive directors Keith Lewis and Shanna Moakler told a press conference that only Miss USA pageant owner Donald Trump can make that decision. He plans to hold a press conference at 1100 on Tuesday (2300 Singapore time) in New York City.

The officials said Ms Prejean has been 'unavailable' and so in the meantime they have appointed the state pageant's runner-up, Tami Farrell, as a 'Beauty of California Ambassador' to fulfil any duties the winner normally would handle.

Mr Lewis said that if Mr Trump allows Prejean to retain her crown, state pageant officials would welcome her back and encourage her to take part in her normal duties.

Ms Prejean, 21, of San Diego, created controversy during the Miss USA pageant when she answered a judge's question by saying she believes marriage should only be between a man and a woman.

The state pageant has been investigating whether she violated her contract by making public appearances with groups opposed to same-sex marriage. Ms Prejean also failed to reveal that she posed in her underwear as a teenager.

Mr Lewis said the state pageant has never criticised Ms Prejean for her beliefs, but he added that Miss California USA must represent everyone in the state.

Mr Lewis said the appointment of Ms Farrell wasn't meant to be punitive or retaliatory against Ms Prejean. Mr Lewis and Ms Moakler are officials of K2 Productions, which independently produces the state pageant under license. Mr Lewis emphasised they were not speaking on behalf of the Miss USA or Miss Universe pageants. -- AP