Tourism Minister Renee Webb, who has come under fire from the Auditor General over the Stonington Beach Hotel deal, resigned from the Cabinet today.

Premier Alex Scott said he had accepted Ms Webb's resignation with regret, and praised her for her six years service in Cabinet.

No reason was given for Ms Webb's resignation, and Mr. Scott said Ms Webb would continue to serve her St. George's South constituency.

Mr. Scott said he had added the Tourism portfolio to Deputy Premier Ewart Brown's Transport portfolio, saying he believed there were synergies between the two Ministries.

Michael Scott becomes Minister of Technology and E-Commerce and his Legislative Affairs portfolio reverts to Attorney General Larry Mussenden.

Ms Webb has come under fire for the handling of the Stonington Beach Hotel lease, in which hotelier John Jefferis was able to secure drastically improved terms for the property after being awarded the tender for the property which was previously operated by the Bermuda College.

Earlier this year, Department of Tourism civil servants protested to the Bermuda Public Service Union about Ms Webb's management style.

Ms Webb joined the Cabinet in 1998 after the Progressive Labour Party's general election victory as Minister of Telecommunications and E-Commerce.

She became Minister of Tourism in 2002 following the death of David Allen.