Questions regarding the employment process leading to a former MP being paid on top of her official government salary for work related to the yet-to-be launched Office of the Public Guardian went mostly unanswered in Parliament.

Robin Tucker, One Bermuda Alliance MP, asked Dennis Lister III, the Junior Minister of Justice and spokesman for education, on Friday, which Government MPs had been remunerated for work related to the office and how they were selected.

As previously reported, Ianthia Simmons-Wade, former Progressive Labour Party MP, was paid $5,000 a month between April 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023, totalling $60,000, for work on the office designed to provide assistance to seniors and those with disabilities in managing their health, financial or legal affairs.

Mr Lister shared the same information but speaking to the appointment process, he added: “I would have to refer to the substantial minister and hopefully get that answer to you.”

When Ms Tucker asked what the “deliverables” were of the $60,000 contract, Mr Lister said: “I will again have to refer to the substantial minister to get to you your question.”

Ms Tucker asked if the junior minister would commit to developing a full breakdown of expenditures linked to the office.

Mr Lister said: “I will consult with the substantial minister to get a response to that answer.”

The Office of the Public Guardian was first announced in the 2020 Throne Speech as a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Youth, Social Development and Seniors.

The Government announced in February 2025 that the Ministry of Justice was drafting the necessary legislative framework to formalise the pilot programme.

Ms Simmons-Wade ran to represent Warwick North East for the PLP in the 2020 General Election, when she claimed 419 votes to the 405 cast for Jon Brunson, who stood for the One Bermuda Alliance.

Ms Simmons later retired from politics.