Leader of the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party.

October 27, 1997 Dear Madam Leader: The last few months has undoubtedly been a most difficult and painful period for the whole of my family: while I continue to strenuously maintain my innocence and apply my energies to the protection of my good name.

No doubt you are aware of the serious illness in my family, and the substantial therapeutic demands and other support which of necessity will be required from me in the immediate future.

Further, the impact of an ongoing set of judicial proceedings, along with the combined impact these developments have had on my professional career, are additional factors which I have had to consider.

The unwelcome politically biased publicity which has been directed at me personally, and the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party as a result, has also had an effect.

You should know that your unswerving support over the last few months during this most difficult phase of my life is enormously appreciated. You are being consistent with the Party tradition of protecting the constitutional rights of all Bermudians, Trevor Woolridge included, when you insist that the judicial process be allowed to run its full course before rushing to judgment.

Over the last few years, I have endeavoured to serve the constituency of Hamilton East and Bermuda as a whole to the best of my ability. Also, I express without reservations my profound gratitude to the many constituents and other members of the community, from whom I have received overwhelming expressions of public and private support, during this most difficult and personal phase of my life.

I have concluded, after careful consideration, and having reached an important juncture in my life, that in the short term it will be absolutely necessary to concentrate all of my energies on my family during this crucial period.

Further, I maybe expected to exhaust the current judicial proceedings which are being conducted on my behalf. In addition my attorney is examining what other remedies that may be available to me, in respect of decisions which have been made by others, and the extent to which I may have been injured and my career deleteriously effected (sic).

You should know that I have no doubt a Progressive Labour Party Government is an absolute necessity for the advancement of the whole of our Bermudian society, and that you above others, are eminently suited to lead the Government and people of this Island into the next century. Given the personal challenges by which I am presently confronted and my determination to rise above them, and the physical and emotional commitment which is required of me, on behalf of my family at this time, it is with much sadness that I offer my immediate resignation from the Shadow Cabinet, and the Party Whip. Further I will not seek to be a Progressive Labour Party candidate for the next General Election. Finally, it is my hope the media will use its quasi monopolistic position in our community, to engage in a constructive assessment of the many other social and economic challenges which are currently facing Bermuda.

Further, the media should concentrate on reporting with a better balance on the activities of the various political parties, and hopefully now devote less of its column space on personal attacks which can only have a prejudicial effect on my ongoing judicial proceedings.

Meanwhile with kindest personal regards, I remain.

Yours sincerely, Rev. Trevor E. Woolridge, M.P.

Trevor Woolridge