Premier Michael Dunkley will be heading to Government House for a new Cabinet Minister appointment following the resignation of Shawn Crockwell as Minister of Tourism and Transport last night.
One Bermuda Alliance (OBA) MPs and executives were locked in talks at a meeting last night weighing options for Mr Crockwell’s successor.
His resignation comes hard on the heels of an email sent by backbencher Leah Scott to the Premier and other Ministers imploring her colleagues to withdraw the Pathways to Status Bill.
The Premier emerged from that meeting at the Cabinet Building around 9:30pm and said regretfully he had accepted Mr Crockwell’s resignation as an OBA Minister. He noted however, that Mr Crockwell “will remain with the party as a backbench MP.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank him for his service,” said the Premier.
“I am disappointed with this development as Shawn was an effective minister who progressed the Government’s agenda to restore workplace jobs and opportunity for Bermudians across the Island, from the formation of the Bermuda Tourism Authority, the Gaming Commission and the imminent development of a new hotel in St. George’s.
“I will be calling the Governor shortly for a new appointment to the Cabinet so that we can continue the work to restore opportunity and prosperity to Bermuda,” he added.
Meanwhile, there’s no word on when or who will succeed Mr Crockwell who resigned on day four of the ongoing protest against the ruling party’s proposed immigration reform plan as the withdrawal of labour looks set to enter day five of protest action.
By Ceola Wilson
