Kingsley Francis, the father of Progressive Labour Party MP Patrice Minors, is to run as an independent candidate in St. George's South.

Mr. Francis, 71, said he was not a member of either party but wanted to do his bit for the nation.

Asked what he thought of the PLP Government, he said: "I am not here to make any comments at this stage in relation to the Government or the Opposition party.

"My purpose is to run for election, to serve my constituency and Bermuda as a whole.

"Naturally, if elected, I am going to work side by side with other members but I will be independent."

Asked what his daughter made of his decision to run, Mr. Francis said: "She doesn't question me in relation to running. I don't question her in relation to her running as a member of the Government party."

St. George's South is one of the key battlegrounds of the election. Last time around Renee Webb took it by eight votes over the United Bermuda Party's Tim Smith.

This time around Attorney General Phil Perinchief is defending the seat for the PLP against the UBP's Donte Hunt.