Government’s communications department will suspend media activity today to honour the late journalist Ira Philip.

David Burt, the Premier, said he “deeply regretted” he would be unable to attend Mr Philip’s funeral service at the Anglican Cathedral in Hamilton.

But he added: “To mark his life of exceptional journalistic service to the people of Bermuda, I have instructed the Government’s Department of Communications to suspend all media activity tomorrow in honour of and out of respect for the celebration of Mr Philip’s life.

“The Government will not hold interviews or press conferences nor will any press statements be released on a day when the only news worth broadcasting will be happening live in the Cathedral.”

Mr Philip, who was 92, died last week.

In addition to a media career spanning seven decades, he was an historian and a former Progressive Labour Party senator.