The Minister of the Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation was off the island when debate on a Bill to create an Education Authority was delayed in the House of Assembly.

The Reverend Emily Gail Dill was one of 13 Progressive Labour Party MPs eligible to vote on the Education Authority Bill 2026 that were absent when a vote was held on Friday to rise and report progress.

Michael Weeks, a government backbencher, was the only MP whose absence was listed on the written order paper, but Dennis Lister, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, told MPs at the start of Friday’s session that Dr Dill would also not be present.

Dr Dill told The Royal Gazette on Monday that she was in New York for an event related to the African Methodist Episcopal Church — she serves as minister, and her husband pastor, of Allen Temple AME Church in Sandys.

Other MPs absent for the vote, which paused debate on the legislation for two weeks, included David Burt, the Premier and Minister of Finance, Zane DeSilva, the Deputy Premier and Minister of Housing and Municipalities, health minister Kim Wilson and Alexa Lightbourne, the Minister of Home Affairs.

Mr Burt said he was at a “private engagement” when MPs voted on the legislation and stated in a letter to PLP members that the organisation’s central committee is expected to review “what happened, including whether absences were authorised and agreed arrangements were followed”.

Lovitta Foggo was Acting Speaker when votes were cast and backbencher Scott Simmons was acting as chairman, which meant they were unable to vote.

Those who voted on the motion were split along party lines.

All ten One Bermuda Alliance MPs and Independent MP Robert King voted to rise and report the Bill’s progress and nine PLP MPs voted against.

Mr Burt said he will cancel any ministerial travel approved for November 20 — when MPs are set to continue debating the Education Authority Bill.