Marc Daniels, who had served as the Opposition Leader in the Senate, has resigned from the Upper House, citing “subterfuge and deceit” against Marc Bean, who stepped down on Friday as Opposition Leader.

The Progressive Labour Party yesterday afternoon commended him for four years of service, which included most of this current year as Senate leader.

“Senator Daniels represented us remarkably in the Senate with his PLP counterparts, debating legislation, holding the Government to account, and standing strong for the Bermudian people,” the statement added.

“His contributions helped to make the PLP Senate team a force to be reckoned with, and he was able to connect with and inspire many during his tenure.”

It followed the posting of a hard-hitting statement on Mr Daniels’s Facebook page, which accused rebel Opposition MPs, along with the Acting Leader of the Opposition — currently David Burt — of engaging in concerted “deceit” against Mr Bean.

Mr Daniels railed against dissenters within the PLP ranks, ranging from the leaking of details to the media and a “campaign” to depose the former leader, who was appointed in December 2012.

The blistering statement, which coincided with yesterday’s Throne Speech, included his letter of resignation, which was submitted on Saturday.

In an earlier statement, posted on Saturday, Mr Daniels, right, expressed shock at Mr Bean’s resignation, noting that the former leader had trusted him, with just over one year’s experience in the Senate, to stand as leader. He called Mr Bean a “political ally, a critic, a mentor and most of all friend”.

Mr Daniels’s statement read: “In light of the recent announcement that our Party Leader, the Hon Marc A.R. Bean JP MP, has retired from party politics, I am compelled to likewise tender my resignation as a Senator on behalf of the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party (“PLP”).

“I shall remain forever grateful to the former Party Leader for placing his trust and confidence in me, by appointing me to serve as a Senator and Opposition Senate Leader, to represent and advance the aims and objectives of the PLP.

“It has been my personal honour and privilege to serve in the Senate Chamber to critically assess and forcefully debate the multitude of Bills that have been passed into law by the One Bermuda Alliance Government from 2013 until present date. I pray that my few years of service have been of value to the Party and its legacy as the Party continues to fulfil its mandate on behalf of the People of Bermuda.

“It is clear that our internal issues have once again caused a rift of division that cannot be overcome with mere token words of ‘functional unity’.

“For over one year we have all witnessed a small, but vocal group of MPs engage in acts of subterfuge and deceit to usurp and malign not only our Party Leader, but also our Executive branch, for their own political purposes.”

• To read the full statement click on the PDF under Related Media