Michelle Simmons is resigning as an independent senator, Government House announced yesterday.

The Vice-President of the Senate will step down from the upper chamber of Parliament on Wednesday.

Mrs Simmons, who has been a senator for five years, said the move was because it is “necessary for me to focus on other matters”.

Rena Lalgie, the Governor, is expected to appoint a new senator before the chamber meets again on September 21.

Ms Lalgie led praise for the departing senator, stating: “I take this opportunity to pay tribute to the distinguished service, commitment and professionalism of Michelle Simmons as one of Bermuda’s independent senators over the past five years.

“Being an independent senator is challenging and requires high standards.

“Mrs Simmons has worked diligently throughout her time in the Senate, especially during the last couple of years of working during a global pandemic, to ensure that she remained robustly independent in carrying out her duties.

“I am sure she will be missed by her colleagues in the Senate and I wish Mrs Simmons all the best in the future.”

Mrs Simmons, a former school principal who is a member of the choir at the Anglican Cathedral, said she would keep members of the Senate in her prayers.

She said: “It has been an honour, an extraordinary privilege and a great pleasure to serve the people of Bermuda as an independent senator over the past five years.

“As I step aside from this role, I would like to wish my former senate colleagues well and assure them that I will continue to uphold each one of them in prayer.

“However, at this time it is necessary for me to focus on other matters.“

A PLP spokesperson said: “We thank Michelle Simmons for her service in the Upper House. She provided thoughtful analysis and contribution to our legislative process. We wish her all the best.”

Ben Smith, One Bermuda Alliance leader in the Senate, said Mrs Simmons brought spirit to the upper chamber.

He said: "It has been a pleasure to work with Senate vice-president Michelle Simmons since 2020.

“In that time I have always found her to bring a great spirit to the Senate.

“She always did her research, gave thoughtful contribution to debate and treated everyone with respect. I wish her well and know that the senate chamber will miss her."

Under the Constitution, the Governor has the right to appoint the three independent senators to the 11-member body.

The two other independent senators are the chamber’s President, Joan E. Dillas-Wright, and John Wight.

The five government members are Ernest Peets, who is leader of the chamber, Emily Gail Dill, Arianna Hodgson, Lindsay Simmons and Owen Darrell.

The three One Bermuda Alliance senators are Mr Smith, Robin Tucker and Douglas De Couto.

* This story was updated to include a quote from the PLP.