A pastor who runs the Government’s gang violence reduction programme is expected to be announced as the Progressive Labour Party’s candidate in Hamilton East (Constituency 5), it was reported today.

It was said on The Daily Hour this morning that Leroy Bean defeated Damon Wade, a former PLP chairman, to take the opportunity during an internal branch election last night.

Jamel Hardtman, one of the show’s hosts, said: “Pastor Leroy Bean looks set to be announced as the C5 candidate, replacing Derrick Burgess, the outgoing MP for PLP in that area as he defeated Damon Wade, former PLP chairman, last night in an internal election down there in C5.”

It was announced this week that Mr Burgess will step away from politics ahead of the election next month.

The Royal Gazette contacted the PLP to confirm Mr Bean’s candidacy, but no response was received by the time of publication.

When asked at a media conference this morning to confirm whether the pastor was selected as the Hamilton East candidate, David Burt, the Premier and party leader, said: “We do not make comments on speculation in the media.“

Mr Bean, the head of Transfiguration Ministries, has led the Government’s Gang Violence Reduction Team since 2017.

He ran as a PLP candidate in the 2012 election for the St George’s South seat, which was won by Suzann Roberts-Holshouser, of the One Bermuda Alliance.

In 2023, he released a book about the origins and causes of gang culture.

The 280-page paperback contains a foreword by Mr Burt.