Scott Simmons has been elected chairman of the Progressive Labour Party.

Mr Simmons, who ran as a General Election candidate for the PLP in 2003 and 2012, is a former public relations officer for the party, and was press secretary to Ewart Brown, the former Premier.

He replaces Junior Maynard Dill, the labour activist who died unexpectedly last month.

Mr Simmons has also served on the Boards of Tourism, Works and Engineering, and Immigration and the West End Development Corporation, and as communication consultant and aide to government ministers.

The PLP said in a statement: “Mr Simmons brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that we anticipate will benefit the party greatly.

“With a desire to put the concerns of our people at the forefront of our operation, Mr Simmons has committed to readying the party to form the next government, while staying true to our roots that have sustained our growth.”