A meeting of the Public Accounts Committee has been set back so members can attend the funeral of Clarence James.

Dr James, a celebrated surgeon and former Deputy Premier, died last weekend.

The meeting had been scheduled to take place this afternoon, but according to a statement from the Bermuda Government it has been postponed until next Wednesday.

The committee had initially been scheduled to meet last Thursday, but the meeting was postponed after Government MPs failed to attend, leaving the committee without a quorum.

Financial secretary Anthony Manders had been summoned by PAC chairman David Burt, the Shadow Minister of Finance, to present copies of the Airport Development Agreement at that meeting, and Mr Manders was further summoned to attend today’s meeting.

However, a dispute has arisen about the validity of the summons. Finance minister Bob Richards claiming a summons requires the unanimous appeal of the committee, but Mr Burt has maintained the summons was properly issued and valid.

Next week’s meeting will begin at 2.30pm in the Senate Chamber at the Cabinet Building, and members of the public are welcome to observe.