Without Portfolio with a remit to help overworked Cabinet colleagues and to fill in when they are abroad.

The appointment could be seen as a conciliatory step by Premier Jennifer Smith, as Mr. Horton was a strong supporter of former Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson, who was sacked after he challenged Ms Smith for the party leadership.

Mr. Horton may act as a conduit for backbenchers, who have claimed they have difficulty getting their voices heard in Cabinet.

After he was sworn in by Governor Thorold Masefield at Government House yesterday, Mr. Horton said: "I am humbled, mainly because of the fact of feeling that the Premier has confidence in placing me in the Cabinet, a place where I've always wanted to be.'' When asked if he will represent backbench views in Cabinet, the Hamilton West MP said: "I will represent the views of all members of the Government and all members of the public to represent the people's interests.'' The Premier said yesterday she had a difficult choice picking Mr. Horton because she had a "surfeit of riches'' from which to choose.

Horton: Minister Without Portfolio Mr. Horton, a PLP MP since 1998, is a former headmaster, cricketer and professional footballer. In recent years he has done a lot of sports announcing and served as chairman of the Board of Bermuda College until last December.

He is currently director of training at the Fairmont Southampton Princess.

Ms Smith said yesterday: "He will be attached to different ministries at different periods of time to get an understanding of how Government operates and an overall view of the different ministries.'' She said he would be attached particularly to larger ministries such as Health and Terry Lister's expanded ministry of Environment, Development and Opportunity, where specific tasks had been identified.

Ms Smith added: "But I will leave it to the ministers concerned to determine the terms of that.

"He will help when someone is abroad or sick, so there is an abundance of work to be done.'' Mr. Horton was one of several PLP backbenchers who expressed regret in November when Ms Smith sacked Mr. Hodgson.

He said at the time: "I am disappointed because I wanted Mr. Hodgson to stay in the Cabinet.

"He's a valuable guy. Why the Premier did this you would have to ask her.'' Mr. Horton was joined by members of his family and new Cabinet colleagues such as Finance Minister Eugene Cox, Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox, Education Minister Sen Milton Scott, Attorney General Dame Lois Browne Evans, and Works and Engineering Minister Alex Scott.