The embattled Zane DeSilva has emerged victorious in a three-way contest to become deputy leader of the Progressive Labour Party.

Mr DeSilva, embroiled still in the Savvy Entertainment loan saga, nevertheless retained the backing of the PLP delegates at St Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church hall last night, as he saw off the challenges of Michael Weeks and Diallo Rabain.

In a tightly contested vote, Mr DeSilva edged out Mr Weeks 71-67, with Mr Rabain having dropped out after the first round.

David Burt, the Premier and party leader, congratulated Mr DeSilva and thanked the other candidates before inviting the winner to speak.

Mr DeSilva, who is also the Minister of Housing and Municipalities, said: “I’d like to thank everyone for their support and their work. We have work to do.

“I think I have a lot of experience; I’ve been in the political arena for 20 years.

“I’ve spent a lot of time with a lot of different organisations in the country and I’ve spent a lot of time with our people — I know their heartbeat, I know what they feel. I don’t forget where I came from.”

Mr DeSilva would not be drawn on questions regarding his connection to the Savvy loan.

The MP for Southampton East was asked about his role in a controversial credit to the company in 2018 while he was still a Cabinet minister, as revealed by The Royal Gazette.

The Premier interjected, saying: “The only controversy in that space would be The Royal Gazette.

“We are going to comment on the Progressive Labour Party and the work of which we have done this evening.”

Mr DeSilva assumes the position previously held by Walter Roban, who announced in July that he would be bowing out of politics.

He has been an MP since 2007, having served as a minister in the Health, Tourism, Social Development and Sport portfolios.

He is also the chief executive and president of Island Construction Services.

The PLP describes Mr DeSilva as a community advocate and philanthropist.

Mr DeSilva re-entered the Cabinet after resigning under a cloud while serving as tourism and transport minister. He quit in 2020 along with Wayne Caines, then national security minister, after they attended a lavish party in violation of Covid-19 regulations during the pandemic.

Mr Weeks said he was pleased with what he described as a “close result”.

“I have been around the party for quite some time now; I have been an MP for almost 16 years,” he said.

“It was a natural fit. I think I have a lot to offer as far as my experience, my longevity and my maturity. I thought that I could take a stab at it and I feel good for the process.”

He said education, the cost of living and housing stood out among the priority issues for the country.

Mr Weeks, the MP for Pembroke East Central, has oversight of customs, police and fire services, and the Gang Violence Reduction Team as the Minister of National Security.

His previous ministerial roles have been within the Ministry of Community Development, the Ministry of Public Works and the Ministry of Community Culture and Sport.

He is known as a grassroots activist involved with multiple community organisations and has professional experience in accounting.

Mr Rabain said he always aspired to lead and serve those within the party, and confirmed that he will be continuing to bid for party leadership roles.

“This was just a natural progression for me; it’s a learning process as I move along in my political career,” he said.

“I believe I have much more to offer to the party and I will be happy to serve under the current leader and deputy until the next election. We will see where we go from there.”

Mr Rabain said he was “put off” by the low voter turnout in the last General Election and by the number of people who feel “disillusioned about the political process and about politics in general".

He added: “A healthy democracy is one where everybody participates, and I am looking forward doing some things to encourage persons to participate in the parliamentary process and let them know that their voices are valued, their voices are needed and we cannot move Bermuda forward without the collective coming to the table.”

Mr Rabain was recently appointed as the Minister of the Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation, having served as the Minister of Education for more than seven years.

He led the public schools system part way through a major reform before the portfolio was handed to Crystal Caesar in the wake of the General Election.

The overhaul aims to provide equity within Bermuda’s education system while preparing an environment equipped for “21st-century learning”.

However, aspects of the reform including the closure of some schools, lack of school preparedness and staffing have been met with protests and other forms of pushback.

Mr Rabain entered politics in 2011 as a senator, which led to his appointment in Parliament in 2016 as well as re-elections in 2017 and 2020.

Speaking of last night’s affairs, the Premier added: “It was a vibrant election.

“We have a strong history and tradition of democracy inside the PLP, and now we will get back to work.”

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