A former government minister has said he does not regret voting for David Burt during last October’s leadership race.

Lawrence Scott was sacked as the Minister of Transport just days after the Premier saw off a challenge from former finance minister Curtis Dickinson for the leadership of the ruling Progressive Labour Party.

At the time, Mr Scott said he was “surprised” by his dismissal. Party sources later claimed that Mr Burt had pledged to keep Mr Scott in his post in return for his support.

Speaking to The Royal Gazette this week, Mr Scott said that he still believed Mr Burt was the stronger candidate.

He added that, although Mr Dickinson was no longer in the Cabinet, he was still able to make a contribution to the party.

Mr Scott said: “I don’t regret voting for the Premier in any way. Curtis Dickinson was a quality candidate with a wealth of experience in economics, but the Premier had 12 years of experience in Parliament.

“He has also been a senator and party chairman, and so, when it comes to leading a political party I think you need that experience.

“Perhaps Curtis Dickinson’s knowledge is missed from Cabinet, which is a shame, but Cabinet isn’t the be-all and end-all. He’s still a member of the party and so that knowledge is retained in the party.”