Kim Wilson, the health minister, was sworn in yesterday as Attorney-General, a position vacated last week by former government MP Kathy Lynn Simmons, who later resigned from politics.

Tom Oppenheim, the Acting Governor, appointed her as Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs in a ceremony at Government House.

The appointment was made on the advice of the Premier in accordance with the Bermuda Constitution Order 1968.

David Burt said: “I wish to thank minister Wilson for accepting this key appointment, which adds to her already considerable workload as the Minister of Health.

“I look forward to working with her to advance the Government's legislative agenda and continuing our work in building a fairer and better Bermuda.

“Minister Wilson is no stranger to this task and I know that she will approach it with her usual dedication and keen desire to improve the lives of Bermudians.”

Ms Wilson’s official role is now Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs and Health.

Called to the Bar in 1995, her legal background includes both criminal and civil litigation, estates planning, wills and probate.

Ms Wilson has served as defence counsel and as an acting magistrate in the lower courts.

The OBA has questioned Ms Wilson’s ability to manage the two major portfolios of Attorney-General and Minister of Health and called into question David Burt’s leadership.

Scott Pearman, the Shadow Minister of Legal Affairs, said: “Premier Burt is clearly reeling after multiple high-profile Cabinet resignations.

“And this week's departure by two Cabinet ministers follows in the wake of announcements by the public works minister and Deputy Premier that they too are quitting politics.

“Departures from the Burt administration are mounting.

“The Premier's selection of health minister Kim Wilson to bear the additional role of Attorney-General speaks volumes about his own position.

“His decision reveals his limited options. It also reveals the extent of his faith in his back bench.

“Premier Burt admits his decision adds to Minister Wilson's ‘already considerable workload as the Minister of Health’.

“Given his stated concerns, why not place the important health portfolio in the hands of another MP?

“They say a week is a long time in politics. Only yesterday, the media suggested Kim Wilson might exit politics altogether. Today she takes on an additional portfolio. The week is not yet over.

“We must all hope, for Bermuda's sake, that minister Wilson will successfully manage these two substantial portfolios. It can be done but it will not be easily done.”

Before she became health minister, Ms Wilson served as the Shadow Minister of Health.

She began her political career as a government senator in 2006 as well as the Junior Minister of Finance and Education.

In 2007, she was appointed Attorney-General and Minister of Justice.

In 2010, Ms Wilson was appointed as Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. She was the first minister in the newly formed ministry.

The following year, she became Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, and also served as Senate Leader.

During her two stints as Attorney-General, Ms Wilson provided oversight and policy direction for all legislative and regulatory matters associated with money laundering and terrorist financing.

She was elected to Parliament in December 2012, representing the Progressive Labour Party in Sandys South Central.

As health minister, Ms Wilson was responsible for safely navigating the country through the Covid-19 pandemic. Her work included the introduction of strict precautionary measures, a testing regime and contact-tracing structure.

She is working at present on the introduction of universal health coverage in Bermuda.

She recently said that significant progress had already been made, including the initial mapping of three integrated care pathways, a joint strategic needs assessment and the ongoing development of a national digital health strategy for Bermuda.

Ms Wilson has served on boards and committees, including the Human Rights Commission, e-commerce Advisory Board, Criminal Injuries Compensation Board and the Board of Governors for CedarBridge Academy.

Dwayne Robinson, of the OBA, said the appointment was unacceptable given Ms Wilson’s other significant responsibilities under the health ministry.

Mr Robinson posted on social media: “Having these two critical ministries overseen by one minister is absolutely unacceptable.

“If the Premier is unable to elevate ministers from his 30 seat majority due to internal divisions or lack of talent, then his position as premier is untenable.”

One legal source said that the constitution requires Bermuda to have an attorney-general in place at all times. The source said: “We have had a serious constitutional crisis. The Government needs to address how they could be so lax as to allow that to happen for days.”

The Ministry of Legal Affairs and Constitutional Reform and Government House did not respond to questions on the issue by press time.