David Burt remained tight-lipped yesterday over his decision to resign as the Shadow Minister of Finance.

Mr Burt, who will remain as the Progressive Labour Party’s deputy leader, said it would be inappropriate to discuss his decision before the party’s Central Committee meeting today.

The Royal Gazette sent Mr Burt a list of questions asking him the motives for his resignation and whether he had any ambitions to lead the party. He replied: “It would not be appropriate for me to discuss these matters in the media before I address the PLP’s Central Committee which will meet on Monday evening.”

Last night, many PLP MPs refused to comment on Mr Burt’s decision; however some party sources raised questions about the manner in which Mr Burt had made the announcement on Friday.

“I do not appreciate that there was a public announcement because he serves at the leader’s pleasure and he was appointed,” one PLP source said.

“If a person in a ministerial or shadow ministerial position feels they can no longer serve in that capacity you should take it to the respective leader and that is where it should stay.

“There is no need for it to be a public announcement. I was surprised by the behaviour, I would not have expected someone in a position of deputy leader of a party to conduct themselves that way.”

Mr Burt, who announced his decision on Facebook, did have some support on social media, with Jonathan Smith, the former PLP senator, writing: “Within this decision I know there is courage and commitment.”

Out of the PLP’s 17 MPs, there are now just nine remaining in the Shadow Cabinet, including the party leader, Marc Bean.

Seven quit their shadow roles late last year as Mr Bean faced a storm of dissent over his leadership style. Since then, he has bolstered his support with Diallo Rabain replacing rebel Glenn Blakeney at a by-election, and in recent weeks party sources said a leadership challenge was unlikely.

But with Mr Bean also said to have a fractious relationship with Speaker Randy Horton, the Southampton West PLP MP, the latest resignation means he is perilously close to being outnumbered within his own parliamentary group.

Asked yesterday when the new shadow finance minister would be announced, and how the news impacts on the PLP, public relations officer Coy Millett said it was too soon to comment. Mr Bean could not be reached.

Mr Burt said in his Facebook announcement: “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, 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 Shadow Minister of Finance and deputy Opposition leader, and acting leader while Mr Bean was seriously ill this year. He has long been touted as a potential future leader of the party, telling this newspaper three months ago: “If there was a vacancy, I could certainly see myself putting my name forward.”