Several Changes Made To Bermuda Cabinet
A number of changes have been made in the Cabinet, with Minister Kim Wilson relinquishing the responsibilities of Attorney-General, and Cindy Clarke taking over the role, with the government noting that “this interim appointment is made prior to an identified political appointee assuming the post of Attorney-General.”
Also in the interim, Minister Walter Roban will take on responsibilities under the Ministry of Legal Affairs, while Minister Wayne Furbert assumes responsibility for the Cabinet Office.
A Government spokesperson said, “The Cabinet Office today, August 29, confirmed the following:
- “Kim N. Wilson has relinquished the responsibilities of Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs and returns to her sole responsibility for the Ministry of Health.
- “Pursuant to Sections 25[a] and 86 of the Bermuda Constitution Order 1968, Her Excellency the Governor has appointed Ms. Cindy Clarke, the substantive Director of Public Prosecutions, to be Attorney-General. This interim appointment is made prior to an identified political appointee assuming the post of Attorney-General.
- “With the appointment of a public officer as Attorney-General, those departments and responsibilities under the Ministry of Legal Affairs are assigned, in the interim, to the Deputy Premier Walter H. Roban.
- “Pending a further substantive appointment, the Minister of Transport, Wayne L. Furbert, assumes responsibility for those matters under the Cabinet Office.
- “Additionally, responsibility for Consumer Affairs and land licenses is assigned to the Minister of Economy and Labour, Jason P. Hayward.”
The Governor said, “The Bermuda Constitution provides for the Attorney-General to be a member of either House [in accordance with the advice of the Premier] or a public officer. Following an invitation to appoint a public officer to fill that position on a temporary basis, I have today, acting in my discretion, appointed Ms. Clarke to assume the office of Attorney-General. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ms. Clarke for her agility and her continued service to the people of Bermuda.”
Premier David Burt said, “The role of Attorney-General is a specialist one and can prove difficult to fill. I am grateful to Minister Wilson who answered the call and bridged the gap in the short term. I am pleased to confirm that a suitably qualified candidate has been identified and will commence their service on 16th September.
“Coming from the private sector, the candidate has various matters to attend to prior to assuming the post of Attorney-General. Also on 16th September, the Governor will be invited to make further ministerial appointments.
“I am also grateful for Ministers Furbert and Roban, who will hold portfolios in this interim period also pending further substantive appointments.”
The Government spokesperson said, “As Attorney-General, Ms. Clarke will not attend Cabinet and will act as the Government’s legal advisor as required under Section 86 of the Constitution, retaining those prosecutorial responsibilities of her substantive office.
“In thanking Ms. Clarke for assuming this charge, it’s noted that Bermuda last had a non-political Attorney-General over 20 years ago prior to the change in Bermuda’s Constitution to permit a politically appointed Attorney-General, the first of whom was the late the Dame Lois M. Browne-Evans.”
