Shadow Transport Minister Jamahl Simmons is being paid for his role as the United Bermuda Party press officer.

Mr. Simmons told The Royal Gazette yesterday that he was a consultant to his party, not an employee, adding he did communications for many different clients. He declined to reveal how much he was being paid.

Opposition Leader Grant Gibbons and party chairwoman Gwyneth Rawlins both declined to comment on the matter, saying it was an internal issue.

And Dr. Gibbons and Ms Rawlins both refused to discuss the resignations of UBP executive officers Jim Butterfield and Gordon Johnson, repeating that the shock moves were “an internal matter”.

The UBP is actively searching for a treasurer to replace Mr. Butterfield, however.

Dr. Gibbons denied rumours that Mr. Simmons may soon be replaced in the role of press officer. Mr. Simmons, too, scotched such reports.

Dr. Gibbons did say that Mr. Simmons had a “very specific” set of job responsibilities. As the party spokesman, Mr. Simmons was responsible for all the party's dealings with the media, including the setting up of Press conferences, media releases and requests, and so on.

It is understood that Mr. Simmons, who has been in the position for about two years, held it as a volunteer for roughly a year.

During the 2003 General Election, however, the position was made formal because of the number of hours he was putting in.

His Progressive Labour Party counterpart, Scott Simmons, is not paid for his efforts.

“Executive positions (save for party secretary) at the PLP are under the PLP Constitution as being unpaid,” Scott Simmons said yesterday. “It's completely voluntary, from the chairman to the press officer to the organisers.”

Members of the executive of both parties are voted in by party members.

“It's for the love of the party, not the love of money,” Scott Simmons - who is not a Member of Parliament - said. “You really have to love what you're doing.”

It is understood that the role of the Press officer at the UBP is not an executive position. Jamahl Simmons said he would be happy to act as a union representative for his PLP counterpart “to ensure he gets proper compensation”, adding: “I believe in good labour relations.”

Mr. Johnson abruptly resigned from the party's executive last month, a move understood to have greatly surprised many members of the party.

The UBP has refused to comment on the issue and Mr. Johnson has also declined to give any reasons for his resignation. It is understood that a row over granting a staff member holiday was the catalyst for the clash.

Mr. Butterfield is understood to have resigned in sympathy with Mr. Johnson.

He told The Royal Gazette he wanted to devote more time to his businesses, Bermuda Cement Company and Butterfield & Vallis, and said when Mr. Johnson left it seemed a good time to follow suit.