Pre-Budget Report, Cabinet Office

Another Cabinet shuffle announced last night saw Progressive Labour Party MP Walton Brown abruptly placed on the back bench and replaced by Wayne Furbert, who in now the Minister for the Cabinet Office.

Thanking the outgoing Minister, Premier David Burt said: “He [Brown] brought a reasoned and thoughtful approach to the discharge of his ministerial responsibilities and I am confident that he will continue to serve the people of Bermuda well in other areas.

“Mr Furbert has worked extremely hard and has provided significant support of the ministry’s core functions, as well as leadership of the Government’s Efficiency Committee.

“I look forward to him joining the Cabinet team and bringing the same energy to this new role,” he added.

This is the second Cabinet shuffle by the Premier and the second move for Mr Brown within the past five months, after the home affairs portfolio was assigned to Walter Roban, the Deputy Premier.

MP Michael Weeks, the former Minister of Social Development and Sports was also relegated to the back bench in that reshuffle.