the chamber after Everard Trenton (Bob) Richards was sworn in during a short ceremony at Government House yesterday.

Sen. Richards, 49, and the father of two sons, is the son of Bermuda's first black Premier Sir Edward Richards.

"I have always had a latent interest in public service,'' the new United Bermuda Party Senator said minutes after he was sworn in by Acting Governor Peter Willis.

"But now I am particularly pleased to be a part of this new team that Premier Gordon has put out.

"I am very pleased to be on her team...as I think that I bring my professional ideas to the table.'' His appointment was made necessary after former Government Senate leader Lynda Milligan-Whyte stepped down after she lost a primary election for the UBP's nomination in the recent Paget East by-election.

Mrs. Milligan-Whyte was replaced as Government Senate leader yesterday by UBP chairman Sen. Gary Pitman who was also sworn into the Cabinet as Minister without portfolio.

Sen. Yvette Swan, the Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs, was named to take over Mrs. Milligan-Whyte's Women's Affairs portfolio. Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness will now be responsible for Legislative Affairs in addition to his Labour, Immigration and Public Safety Ministries.

Premier Gordon welcomed Mr. Richards into the fold and made it clear that she expected a great deal from him in his new capacity.

Asked what qualities guided her choice of the newest Government senator, she said: "I think Mr. Richards has been a very strong supporter of the United Bermuda Party for a very long time.

"He is extremely strong in his views and I think that is an important factor for anyone going forward in this new administration.

"We need strong people who are prepared to stand up and be counted. Mr.

Richards has already demonstrated that in the past and I think that will be an asset to the Government.'' Mr. Richards will be the Government spokesman in the Upper House for Education and Finance.

He is a financial advisor to the committee that will advise Government on how Bermuda's Base lands should be used as well as president of Bermuda Asset Management and chairman of Gulf Stream Securities. Mr. Richards is also general manager of INVESCO Global Asset Management Ltd.

His company, Bermuda Asset Management, has been involved in managing the assets of numerous pension plans, including a Government programme and one from the Bermuda Telephone Company Ltd.

He is also an investment manager and a Bermuda Monetary Authority director as well as a council member for the Bermuda National Trust.

Mr. Richards is married to Pauline Richards, a senior vice president and group financial controller for Aon Risk Services (Bermuda) Ltd. The couple have two sons, Victor, 17, and 13-year old Kevin.

Ms Gordon said Sen. Pitman was appointed as a Minister without portfolio due to his numerous responsibilities as UBP chairman.

Premier Gordon said Sen. Pitman has proven his commitment to the United Bermuda Party and Bermuda over the last few years.

"The reason that he is Minister without portfolio is basically because he is one of our strong components in the party side as the party chairman,'' she said.

"His commitment to the party and the work that he gives to the United Bermuda Party is so significant that I do not feel it will be helpful to further burden the responsibility he already has.''