When contacted on Tuesday morning, the Education Minister said Vanterpool tendered her resignation on Friday to the HLSCC board, despite being offered a new contract.

“It’s true. Her contract came to an end at the end of July 2019 and she was offered a new contract as President. [But] she resigned, so that’s an indication that she did not want to continue,” Dr Wheatley said.

“As far as allegations about bullying from the board, nothing never came to my attention about any bullying that was taking place. I am in regular communication with the chairman and deputy chairman of the board. I don’t see them as the type of persons to be bullying anyone, but they will demand accountability,” he added.

We were willing to continue with her as head

In the meantime, Dr Wheatley, a former lecturer at the educational facility further said: “From the perspective of myself and the board, we were willing to move forward with her despite her political affiliations.”

He said her political alliances “didn’t enter into the equation at all”.

The Education Minister further told BVI News that the current Vice President Dr Richard Georges would act as the interim President of the institution until a new President is installed.

With what the minister described as the strong leadership at the educational facility, he said he does not anticipate Vanterpool’s resignation to impact the college negatively.

Vanterpool, the wife of Opposition legislator Mark Vanterpool, was appointed President on August 1 last year.