Governor Sir John Vereker accepted Alex Scott's resignation and swore in Ewart Brown as Premier this morning, capping a weekend of sweeping change for the ruling Progressive Labour Party.

Dr. Brown's first order of business has been the installation of a Cabinet which features the return of Nelson Bascome to the Health Ministry after four years on the backbenches.

Deputy Premier Paula Cox retains the Finance Minister's post. Dr. Brown retains the Tourism & Transport Ministry, saying there are "certain things that I need to see over the line" like the creation of new hotels.

At the Government House ceremony, Sir John greeted Mr. Bascome with a warm "welcome back" as he administered the Oath of Office of Due Execution, the Oath of Allegiance and Judicial Oath.

David Burch retains his Senate seat and becomes the Minister of Public Safety and Housing while former school headmaster Randolph Horton takes responsibility for Education, Sport and Recreation.

Neletha Butterfield moves back to Environment, Telecommunications & eCommerce while former Bermuda Industrial Union president Derrick Burgess retains his recent appointment as Labour & Immigration Minister, but loses the public safety segment of the portfolio.

Wayne Perinchief became the Community & Cultural Affairs Minister and Dennis Lister takes control of Works & Engineering.

Dr. Brown created a new ministry of Social Rehabilitation and moved Dale Butler from Community Affairs to the new post.

Dr. Brown will retain the portfolios of Tourism and Transport.

Dr. Brown made wholesale changes to the Senate, retaining Sen. Burch, but appointing lawyer Phil Perinchief as Attorney General, lawyer Kim Wilson, Crown counsel Wayne Caines and Davita Marie Morris as junior ministers.

Ministers leaving Cabinet included Health Minister Patrice Minors, Telecommunications Minister Michael Scott and Minister without Portfolio Walter Lister.

Return to the Royal Gazette's website for more coverage of this morning's ceremony and for the full story tomorrow.