Premier’s New Press Secretary: Jamahl Simmons
Jamahl Simmons has been appointed as the new press secretary to the Premier, saying the appointment was a “tremendous vote of confidence” and that he is looking forward to the challenge.
Mr. Simmons has previously been a member of both the United Bermuda Party [UBP], Progressive Labour Party [PLP], and also served as an independent Member of Parliament.
He reportedly worked behind the scenes to help the PLP to power in 1998. He was then elected under the UBP in Pembroke West in 2002. He went on to serve as Shadow Minister of the Environment, Shadow Minister for Human Rights and Transport and Shadow Minister for Race Relations and Economic Empowerment.
In 2007 Mr. Simmons resigned from the UBP following allegations of racism within the organization, saying he was “subjected to a relentless campaign waged by a small group of whites within the Party.”
Below he speaks of aspects of alleged racial strike within the UBP:
He briefly served as an independent Member of Parliament before joining the PLP. He did not seek re-election in the 2007 General Election. In 2008, Mr. Simmons was appointed to as Executive Aide to Premier Dr. Ewart Brown.
He replaces Arnold Minors, who announced his resignation recently.
