A Progressive Labour Party senator was today appointed as Minister of Youth, Culture and Sports.

Ernest Peets was sworn in by John Rankin, the Governor, at a ceremony at Government House in Pembroke.

Dr Peets said: “This appointment is something for which I am very grateful.

“All of my skills, education and experience have culminated wonderfully for this particular ministry.

“I pledge to give the people of Bermuda 110 per cent.”

Dr Peets will be responsible for the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, as well as the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation.

He will also be in charge of developing the national youth policy and national cultural heritage policy.

Dr Peets said that he hoped to use the “innovative and progressive ideas” of young Bermudians.

He added: “As stated in the 2020 Throne Speech, Bermuda’s future must be built by those to whom it most belongs – our young people.

“This has been an extraordinary year of youth mobilisation and activism.

“We will seek to engage our young people and harness their energy, creativity and passion about the causes that are most important to them, by developing a national youth policy that supports and empowers this most critical segment of our community.”

Dr Peets was appointed a senator and Leader of the Senate on November 5.

He honed his skills in addiction counselling and recovery through his work in social services, including the prison service and the Drug Treatment Court.

Dr Peets has also been the pastor of New Life Church of the Nazarene in Smith’s since 1999.

David Burt, the Premier, said that Dr Peets had “a wide range of experience” and had been “an outstanding member of the Bermuda community”.

He added: “I have no doubt that he will excel in the role of Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport.

He has a passion for youth issues and cultural issues in our community and as a certified football coach he is familiar with our local sporting organisations.

“I look forward to working with him in this role.”

Dr Peets replaces Rolfe Commissiong, a former PLP MP, who stepped down from the Senate and Cabinet in October after just two days in the posts.

Mr Commissiong was earlier forced to stand down as a Progressive Labour Party election candidate after an “inappropriate” remark to a woman civil servant two years ago became public.