Michael Weeks has been announced as the Progressive Labour Party’s candidate for the by-election for Pembroke East Central.

Mr. Weeks will now fight for the virtually certain PLP seat in Constituency 16 made vacant by the death of Health Minister Nelson Bascome last month.

He is said to have been a friend of Mr. Bascome and is believed to have been the recommendation of the branch — chaired by Mr. Bascome’s wife Shirlene. The decision was unanimously confirmed at a central committee meeting lasting less than an hour this evening.

The by-election takes place on August 27; the United Bermuda Party is thought to have been awaiting the PLP’s announcement before choosing its own candidate. At the 2007 General Election, Mr. Bascome won with 87 percent of the votes.

For the full story, see tomorrow’s Royal Gazette.