A decision by the central committee of the island’s ruling party to pause the meeting where a new leader will be chosen was made “to protect the integrity of that process and ensure that whoever is elected leader has a clear mandate to lead the party forward”.

The Progressive Labour Party was scheduled to have its 61st annual general conference from October 28 to 30, when a replacement for David Burt, the Premier, would be voted in.

It confirmed on Monday that the gathering was postponed, to a backdrop of a legal challenge against a change in the membership process said to be contrary to the PLP constitution.

Curtis Dickinson, a former Minister of Finance, is challenging economy and labour minister Jason Hayward in the PLP elections next month.

However, on September 4, Mr Dickinson launched an injunction against motions put to a party central committee meeting on August 24, which would withhold automatic PLP membership to people who had campaigned against the party in the past two general elections.

Another motion proposed that members for less than a year would be ineligible to be party delegates in the leadership contest.

Mr Burt defended the move, telling The Royal Gazette that concerns had been raised over new membership lists that included people from the rival One Bermuda Alliance, and who had run against the PLP.

A party statement added: “The leadership election will proceed. The August 31, 2026 membership eligibility cut-off remains unchanged, and the postponement does not reopen or extend the membership period for the purposes of this conference.”

“Under the party constitution, the leader and deputy leader are elected at conference by delegates chosen by the branches.

“That process requires party headquarters to provide verified membership lists to the branches, which then complete the necessary certification and delegate selection process.

“The current court proceedings concern matters directly affecting membership and delegate eligibility.

“Until those issues are resolved, the party cannot responsibly finalise the membership and delegate process upon which the remaining conference timetable depends.”

It said: “The substantive hearing is scheduled for October 1 and 2.

“Given that timetable, it is no longer practicable to complete the remaining constitutional and administrative requirements ahead of the conference originally scheduled for October 28 to 30.

“The party constitution provides for the central committee to postpone conferences where circumstances warrant it, subject to the constitutional time frame for holding the conference.”

The statement added: “Postponement of an annual conference is also not without precedent. The party’s 2016 annual conference was similarly held later in the year following issues affecting the membership and conference process.

“To be clear, this is a matter of process, not preference.”

It said: “Every member deserves a leadership election conducted on a clear constitutional basis and an outcome whose legitimacy cannot reasonably be called into question.”

A spokeswoman for Mr Dickinson said his team acknowledged the decision of the party.

In a statement, Mr Dickinson’s team said: “We acknowledge the decision of the central committee to postpone the annual general conference while the matter before the court is determined.

“Our position remains resolute: we are committed to the unity and strength of the Progressive Labour Party, while defending its constitution and the rights of every member, old and new.

“We have confidence in the legal process and believe its conclusion will provide the clarity needed for the party to come together, move forward and ensure all eligible members can participate in a fair, robust and democratic process.”