The executive of the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party has acknowledged the resignation of MP Zane DeSilva, who resigned as Minister of Social Development and Sports on Sunday.
In a statement released last night, a party spokesman said: “Mr DeSilva will continue to serve the Constituents of Constituency 29, Southampton East, as their Member of Parliament with his well-known energy and commitment.”
Mr DeSilva, who quit his Cabinet post yesterday, citing the “conflict” he faces over the fee cuts implemented by the Bermuda Health Council for MRI and CT scans, which ultimately will shut down the only other diagnostic imaging service outside of King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.
Premier David Burt, who said he “reluctantly accepted the resignation”, said Government Reform Minister Lovitta Foggo will assume responsibility for Mr DeSilva’s portfolio until a new Cabinet Minister is appointed to replace him.
“Mr DeSilva has expressed the conflict he faces by a set of circumstances this new government inherited – specifically, the decision made by the former government to significantly reduce the fees paid for MRI and CT scans in Bermuda and the new government’s action to mitigate the impact of those fee reductions without increasing health insurance costs.”
The Southampton East MP was elected in 2007 to represent Southampton East Central, before switching to Southampton East in 2012.
