Junior Justice Minister Michael Scott was today unveiled as Bermuda's new Minister of Health.

Mr. Scott, a former Minister of Telecommunications and E-Commerce, replaces Nelson Bascome, who stepped down from the position during a Police investigation which led to his arrest last week.

Governor Sir John Vereker swore lawyer Mr. Scott into the role today, before Premier Ewart Brown announced the move in a press conference at Cabinet.

Since Mr. Bascome's resignation in February, Senator Philip Perinchief has been holding the health portfolio in addition to his duties as Attorney General.

Addressing the press conference, Mr. Scott said he was “proud to be a member of a team led by Ewart Brown”.

Flanked by other Cabinet members including Deputy Premier Paula Cox at the conference, Dr. Brown said: “Mr. Scott is an exceptional lawyer and generous public servant to the people of Bermuda.”

The Premier said Mr. Scott had learned much from legendary former Progressive Labour Party leaders Dame Lois Browne Evans, who died last month, and the late Frederick Wade.

Mr. Scott, who has been involved with the PLP for 14 years, served first as Legislative Affairs Minister and then as Telecommunications and E-Commerce Minister under former Premier Alex Scott.

He lost his position in the Cabinet when the Telecommunications role was added into the Environment Ministry as Dr. Brown replaced Mr. Scott last October; but was kept on as Junior Minister of Justice.

See tomorrow's Royal Gazette for the full story.