Paula Cox, the former premier, has quit the Progressive Labour Party to run as an independent candidate at the General Election.

Ms Cox, who has represented the PLP as a candidate, parliamentarian, minister and leader since 1985, confirmed her resignation in a letter to chairman Scott Simmons on Tuesday.

“It is with a heavy heart that I do this but I am compelled to cancel my membership on a point of principle,” she wrote.

It follows her bitter disappointment at being rejected as a candidate for Devonshire North West in favour of Wayne Caines, despite being approved as the branch selection for the seat.

Many within the PLP believe the move will take votes away from Mr Caines as the party aims to recapture the constituency surprisingly won by Glen Smith of the One Bermuda Alliance in 2012.

Ms Cox, who was premier from 2010 to 2012, wrote to Mr Simmons: “This letter constitutes my official notice of withdrawal of my membership from the party, since I have decided to run as an independent candidate, for the upcoming General Election. To continue to retain membership given my stated intentions would be inappropriate.

“This, given the recent events and circumstances that constituted a miscarriage of justice by the violation of the party’s processes, protocols and constitutional integrity regarding the C14 candidate selection and the proper consultation with the constituency branch.

“You are aware that my candidacy was also supported by polling data, indicating a high favourability rating, for me to win.

“The party has been an excellent platform for me to serve the good people of Bermuda. Much work remains to be done to advance the people’s interests and hopefully this will continue.

“I wish the party all the best in its future endeavours.”

Ms Cox declined to comment when contacted by The Royal Gazette last night, saying she was dedicating her evening to her son on his graduation day.

Mr Simmons said in his response to Ms Cox: “I cannot express how disappointed I am on receiving this correspondence.

“I am aware of the circumstances that have led to this unfortunate impasse and I had hoped a more amicable solution could have been found.

“On behalf of the executive committee and the Bermuda Progressive [Labour] Party, I thank you for your sterling service to us at every level of the organisation inclusive of your years as our devoted party leader and to the people of Bermuda as Premier. “I wish you well in all your future endeavours and once this matter has reached its conclusion with the passing of this election, it is my hope that the party executive can meet with you and discuss a way forward that sees your return to the party I know you love and cherish.”

The PLP broke the news in a press release yesterday afternoon, with a spokeswoman saying:

“This decision by Ms Cox is disappointing but clearly Ms Cox feels it necessary to follow her dreams and take this stance.

“We thank Ms Cox for her decades of service to the party in numerous capacities, and wish her well going forward.”

Earlier this month, Devonshire North West secretary Nadine Henry wrote to Mr Burt and other party officers to confirm that the branch had an “unwavering support” for Ms Cox.

However, senior party officials overruled the branch by opting for Mr Caines as its candidate.

Ms Cox then wrote a scathing e-mail to Mr Burt, describing herself as a diehard PLP supporter, but warning him: “If the party continues to ignore the PLP C14 branch’s stated decision, I am prepared to let the voters of C14 decide the outcome.”

Before the last General Election, the PLP put rules in place so that all candidates would be selected by a branch vote, with the intention of encouraging new talent into the political arena.

Challenged by the media, Opposition leader David Burt explained that the candidate selection processes had been modified and ratified by the central committee in 2014. In her e-mail to Mr Burt, Ms Cox claimed party leaders had acted as if they had a “back room agenda” to tarnish her reputation.

She said the branch executive was told that she “could be a liability” to the PLP if she were to run.

Ms Cox has told The Royal Gazette she was planning to work with Constituency 14 residents to “earn their trust and confidence”; since then she has targeted constituents with a YouTube page called “PC Elect”.

Mr Caines and Mr Smith have both been officially unveiled as election candidates for Devonshire North West.