A joint select committee made up of MPs and senators from both parties will examine the causes of last September’s cyberattack on Government’s information systems.

A resolution proposing the creation of a committee put forward by Vance Campbell, the Minister for the Cabinet Office, was passed without objections on Friday — after Opposition MPs walked out of the chamber before the debate had wrapped up.

Mr Campbell opened the debate by claiming that a committee was the most effective method of exploring how the “unprecedented” attack occurred and what steps should be taken to prevent it happening again.

The attack shut down many Government services for months.

Mr Campbell also argued that a committee would “foster bipartisanship and co-operation among parliamentarians on a matter of national importance”.

He said a Commission of Inquiry, preferred by the Opposition to carry out the review, would be more costly and take much longer.

He said: “The cyberattack was a wake-up call to the Government and the country to recognise and address the threats and risks that exist in the digital age.

“A joint select committee will provide a comprehensive and independent inquiry into the cyberattack and its aftermath and will make recommendations on how to enhance the security and integrity of the Government’s information systems and data.”

Mr Campbell said that the committee would learn of the “immediate and decisive action” that the Government took to restore the network and the dedication of public officers.

Those remarks prompted Jarion Richardson, the leader of the One Bermuda Alliance, to question if an inquiry made up in part by government MPs could be independent.

He said: “The Government has already reached a conclusion on a lot of this.”

Calling for a Commission of Inquiry to carry out the review, Mr Richardson also said that Parliament did not have the resources or expertise.

Mr Richardson was supported by party colleague Susan Jackson, who emphasised that government MPs sitting on a committee could not be independent when investigating the role that party colleagues might have played in the security breach.

Ms Jackson said that joint select committees had been effective in reviewing certain issues such as a living wage, gang violence and other “external community challenges”.

However she added: “This to me is very internal and it’s very difficult to sit down and investigate colleagues in the room because the Cabinet has a lot of responsibility for security.

“To look at the performance of colleagues in the Cabinet, that’s a conflict of interest. They’re accountable.”

Scott Pearman, the Shadow Minister of Home Affairs, questioned why legislation tightening cybersecurity had been tabled earlier in the day before a joint select committee had been established.

Derrick Burgess, the deputy speaker who was chairing the debate, replied that legislation could always be amended.

Mr Pearman hit back, saying: “Mr Acting Speaker, with respect, if you’re going to join the debate, your seat is over there.”

That remark prompted Mr Burgess to call on the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove Mr Pearman from the chamber. The remaining Opposition MPs followed in solidarity.

The resolution was passed without objection.