HAMILTON, Bermuda – Bermuda’s new Premier Paula Cox, who has pledged to cut costs, has confirmed she has not retained the bodyguards who were a prominent feature of her predecessor Ewart Brown’s four-year regime.
Cox, who is also Finance Minister, also told reporters she does not engage police escorts.
Cox, who took over from Brown last month, has repeatedly stated she wants to trim unnecessary spending to make savings of US$150 million in her first year in office after it was announced the national debt has ballooned to more than one billion US dollars.
She has said an audit of contracts is being carried out to ensure no consultancies are being inadvertently continued.
Brown, who has quit politics after 17 years as an MP, was accused of trying to look important by insisting on travelling with personal bodyguards at home and overseas at the taxpayers’ expense. He claimed the Bermuda Police Service (BPS) had advised him he needed bodyguards.
Giving an update on appointments under Cox’s new administration, her press secretary Beverle Lottimore said “the Premier has retained no bodyguards nor does she engage police escorts. The Premier has been issued a driver.
“Premier Cox has previously stated that all consultancies will be reviewed. An audit of contracts is in the process of being arranged so that none are inadvertently continued that should be terminated.” (CMC)
