A former education Permanent Secretary yesterday questioned if she would ever face a Progressive Labour Party disciplinary committee over her opposition to the closure of a historic primary school.

Ellen-Kate Horton, a veteran PLP member who was threatened with a disciplinary hearing in June over her opposition to the axing of West End Primary, said the ultimatum was “still hanging”.

Ms Horton, who was educated at West End Primary in the days of segregation, added: “I sought legal advice so I can’t say too much – but whatever happens, I will continue with a fight.”

It is understood that similar action was considered by the party against Jamahl Simmons, a PLP backbencher and former minister, who also spoke out against closure of the school.

But a party insider said that action against Mr Simmons never materialised.

The PLP was asked if any action would taken against Ms Horton and if any other PLP members had been targeted over their opposition to the closure of the Sandys school.

The party was also asked, if no one else was under the threat of disciplinary action, why Ms Horton had been singled out.

A party statement released this morning said: “We once again welcome all Bermudians concerned with the PLP’s internal policies to read our party constitution on our website, plp.bm. There, you will note our commitment to respecting the privacy of our members, our meetings and all internal processes.”

“We value the opinions of all our members, but one thing we can agree on is that our public education system needs reform. We can do better by our children. Our students deserve the highest quality education delivered at the highest standard.”

It added: “Our signature schools initiative and Learning First curriculum will give our students greater opportunities and more choices to get the sort of education they need to succeed. Our proposed Parish Primary School plan will allow us to focus our resources on fewer facilities which will allow us to rebuild new 21st-century schools on the best sites per parish. Our Education Authority will ensure that our teachers teach to the highest standards. Our new model and curriculum will give our students the best opportunities to prepare for the jobs of tomorrow.”

“Bermudians have long demanded education reform to prepare our students for the future. In our 2017 election platform we promised this, and we are committed to delivering this promise.”

Members of the public who backed the campaign to save the school were this month sent a letter from Diallo Rabain, the Minister of Education, which defended the decision.

Mr Rabain’s letter said: “We agree with the West End Primary School representatives on the critical importance of history.

“We want to work with the West End Primary School community to honour and protect its ongoing legacy.

“The facts, analysis and rationale for the decision are publicly available and show that the decision was a sound one.

“Along with all other schools, enrolment has continued to decline, with West End Primary School with a total of 89 students.

“Additionally, the best available site, with more significant acreage and room to accommodate a 21st century parish primary school and preschool, was selected.”

It was announced in July that West End Primary would close along with seven other primary schools as part of the Government’s shake-up of public education.

The move would bring the number of primary schools down from 18 to ten.

The Government released the contents of the public consultation on education system changes, which included a submission by a group opposed to the closure of West End Primary.

One of the arguments against closure was the school’s historic role as one of the first to offer free education to Black pupils.

The group also presented a petition against the closure with 315 signatures and submitted a list of questions about the criteria for closure to David Burt, the Premier, and Mr Rabain.

The Government has argued that nearby Somerset Primary School should be retained instead as it was bigger and better suited for the provision of 21st century education.

Campaigners staged a protest against the closure of West End Primary School at Nellie’s Walk on Hamilton’s Church Street last week.