Trevor Moniz is back in the fold of the United Bermuda Party (UBP) after a caucus meeting Tuesday.

Mr. Moniz was readmitted to the UBP whip at the meeting, according to a statement from the party's headquarters last night.

"Mr. Moniz was readmitted to the UBP Whip by consensus after a thorough discussion in the UBP Parliamentary group in which Mr. Moniz participated," said party leader Grant Gibbons.

"During the meeting we all recommitted to follow internal party guidelines that enhance teamwork and strengthen the effectiveness of the UBP parliamentary group. I'm pleased to welcome him back as a United Bermuda Party Member of Parliament, effective immediately."

The decision ends three years in the political wilderness for Mr. Moniz.

"I am pleased that this matter has been finally resolved and I look forward to working with my UBP colleagues to win the next election," he said by way of the press statement.

The Smith's South MP, effectively sat as an Independent MP since the party decided to remove the Whip, saying he rarely attended the party's weekly caucus meetings.

Mr. Moniz has been an outspoken MP on a number of issues and is the last remaining of the so called "Rebel Five" which opposed former Sir John Swan's 1995 Independence bid and later the move to bring a McDonald's franchise into Bermuda.

More recently he was said to have displeased many of his own colleagues with his insistence that an open register of MPs interest be set up.

Previous attempts at restoring the whip failed because, Mr. Moniz reported at the time, the party was insisting on too many conditions.

But as general elections draw near the party has been under increasing pressure from its supporters to resolve the issue.

This time no conditions were set, he said when contacted at his home last night.

"I did not ask for any promises either. The process has taken a while and its been fruitful. It looks like the Country is in crisis... and we need some leadership. We can provide it on our side."