David Burt has resigned as the Shadow Minister of Finance.

Mr Burt handed in his resignation from the post yesterday to the Opposition leader, Marc Bean, but confirmed that he would remain Deputy Leader of the Progressive Labour Party.

“Earlier today I tendered my resignation as the Shadow Minister of Finance to the Opposition leader,” Mr Burt said.

“I will continue to serve my constituents in Pembroke West Central and look forward to holding the OBA government accountable in both Parliament and on the Public Accounts Committee.

“I remain Deputy Leader of the PLP and will work to ensure the PLP continues to promote policies that are truly progressive, pro-worker and pro-Bermudian.”

Mr Burt, who posted his statement on his personal Facebook account at about 10pm, did not say why he had stepped down from the shadow role.

He added: “I believe a unified PLP is the best option for the next Government of Bermuda, in clear contrast with the OBA that is painfully out of touch with Bermudians and has the wrong priorities and policies for our country. I will be spending more time on the doorstep this weekend speaking to the constituents that I have the honour to represent in Parliament.”

Earlier yesterday, Mr Burt had been canvassing in Pembroke West Central, saying on Twitter at about 5pm: “Listening to the residents of C18 share their ideas to make our island home of Bermuda a better place.”

Seven members of the Shadow Cabinet quit amid a storm of anger over Opposition leader Mr Bean’s leadership style late last year, with rumours of takeover bids continuing to linger.

In the wake of the resignations, sources within the party suggested that a faction of members were seeking to oust Mr Bean over concerns about his leadership style with Mr Burt reportedly a “strong candidate” to assume the mantle.

In February, rumours of a special delegates congress for the party spread again after reports that 11 African Methodist Episcopal churches sent correspondence to the PLP indicating that they will not support the party with Mr Bean at its helm.

However when questioned about the possibility of becoming party leader in July, Mr Burt told The Royal Gazette: “There is no vacancy in the leadership at this time, so it’s not something to discuss. But if there was a vacancy, I could certainly see myself putting my name forward.”

At that time, Mr Burt said he was enjoying the challenge of being acting Opposition leader while Mr Bean was on medical leave and had been working hard to get the party ready for the next General Election.

Mr Burt, a former PLP chairman, was appointed a senator in 2010, where he served as Junior Minister of Finance. He later won his seat in the House of Assembly in the 2012 General Election.

Since then, he has served as both deputy Opposition leader and Shadow Minister of Finance.