Opposition Leader Grant Gibbons said last night that he was saddened at the resignation of loyal party member Gary Pitman, but supported his decision.

Dr. Grant Gibbons told The Royal Gazette that the former Shadow Transport Minister was a strong advocate on many issues that troubled the community.

Dr. Gibbons said: "We are sorry to see Mr. Pitman step down from his seat, although we fully understand that the pressures of work and business travel make it difficult for him to continue serving as a Member of Parliament.

"Mr. Pitman has been a loyal and hardworking member of the UBP since the early 1980s. He served for many years as a member and chairman of the Warwick West branch, and in 1993 he was elected chairman of the United Bermuda Party, a position he held until 1998."

Although Dr. Gibbons gave no indication on who will stand in the upcoming Pembroke West by-election, saying selection had to take place according to the party rules and guidelines.

"Mr. Pitman represented his constituency well and has been a strong advocate on issues related to drug problems near Admiralty House, as well as gaming machines," Dr. Gibbons said.

"We will all miss having him as a member of our team in the House of Assembly. We are pleased, however, that we will be able to continue to rely on his advice and support, and we wish him well with his business activities. "A replacement candidate has not yet been chosen to run for the United Bermuda Party in Pembroke West. However, the selection procedures will follow the same process used by the UBP Smith's branch in the recent by-election in Smith's South."

Maxwell Burgess was selected as the UBP candidate for Smith's South after the party accepted the recommendation of the Smith's South branch committee. He went on to defeat PLP Sen. David Burch, the Premier's Chief of Staff and now the Government Senate Leader.