Beautiful Virgin Islands

Thursday, Apr 23, 2026

Walwyn ESHS wall investigation heading to DPP Office - CoP Matthews

Commissioner of Police (CoP) at the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), Mr Michael B. Matthews says the investigation into the $1.6M Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) wall project commissioned by Myron V. Walwyn in 2016-while serving as Minister of Education under the National Democratic Party-has been completed and is now heading to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for further action.

"The Investigation into the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) Wall... has reached a stage where a file is going to the Director of Public Prosecutions," CoP Matthews said on public radio ZBVI 780AM today, January 14, 2020, during a live episode of the 'Honestly Speaking' radio show moderated by Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline.


'I don't make the charging decision' - CoP Matthews

"Obviously, I don't make the charging decisions, that is an independent authority of the DPP's Office, but they will be presented with the evidence that we've accrued throughout our investigation."

The Top CoP continued, "I will await to see what decisions they make about whether they feel there is sufficient evidence for a criminal prosecution," he said.

When grilled, CoP Matthews refused to say whether the existing evidence suffices criminal prosecution at the DPP office, however, said there are several unanswered questions about the wall project from his personal perspective.

"That's not my privilege to state that [possible charges], I've read the evidence, I've looked at the evidence, and for me, there are quite clearly questions to be answered,' he said.

It should be noted that this is not the first investigation into the ESHS wall. A previous report from Auditor General (AG) Ms Sonia M. Webster stated that the wall project broke financial laws, there was no value for money and persons were paid but work was not completed.


'Project broke Financial laws' - AG Webster

Amidst controversy and a leak to the press, the report was then handed to the Governor of the Virgin Islands, Mr Augustus J.U. Jaspert who then handed it over to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF). Official criminal investigations then commenced.

Ms Webster also listed a trail of alleged corruption surrounding the controversial project from start to finish. CoP Mathews, in July 2019, had stated that close to 100 persons were investigated as part of the RVIPF probe.

"This isn't going to be an overnight investigating, nor should it be, because we have to be thorough. We have to make sure that if we are going to reach a point in time where we are going to arrest and charge people, that we've done the groundwork properly," he said.

In February 2019, Mr Walwyn, who was regarded as one of the most controversial and divisive personalities in Virgin Islands (VI) politics, was brutally ousted by voters in the 2019 elections after serving two terms [2011-2019] in office.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
News Roundup
Microsoft lost 2.5 millions users (French government) to Linux
Privacy Problems in Microsoft Windows OS
News roundup
Péter András Magyar and the Strategic Reset of Hungary
Hungary After the Landslide — A Strategic Reset in Europe
Meghan Markle Plans Exclusive Women-Focused Retreat During Australia Visit
Starmer and Trump Hold Strategic Talks on Securing Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Tensions
Unofficial Australia Visit by Prince Harry and Meghan Expected to Stir Tensions with Royal Circles
Pipeline Attack Cuts Significant Share of Saudi Arabia’s Oil Export Capacity
UK Stocks Rise on Ceasefire Momentum and Renewed Focus on Diplomacy
UK to Hold Further Strategic Talks on Strait of Hormuz Security
Starmer Voices Frustration as Global Tensions Drive Up UK Energy Costs
UK Students Voice Concern Over Proposal for Automatic Military Draft Registration
Rising Volatility Drives Uncertainty in UK Fuel and Petrol Prices
UK Moves to Deploy ‘Skyhammer’ Anti-Drone System to Strengthen Airspace Defense
New Analysis Explores UK Budget Mechanics in ‘Behind the Blue’ Feature
Man Arrested After Four Die in Channel Crossing Tragedy
UK Tightens Immigration Framework with New Sponsor Rules and Fee Increases
UK Foreign Secretary Highlights Impact of Intensified Strikes in Lebanon
UK Urges Inclusion of Lebanon in US-Iran Ceasefire Framework
UK Stocks Ease as Ceasefire Doubts in Middle East Weigh on Investor Confidence
UK Reassesses Cloud Strategy Amid Criticism Over Limited Support Measures
UK Calls for Full and Toll-Free Access Through Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Tensions
Starmer Signals Strategic Shift for Britain Amid Escalating Iran-Linked Tensions
UK Issues Firm Warning to Russia Over Covert Underwater Military Activity
OpenAI Halts Stargate UK Project, Casting Uncertainty Over Britain’s AI Expansion Plans
Starmer Voices Frustration Over Global Pressures Driving UK Energy Costs Higher
UK Deploys Military Assets to Protect Undersea Cables From Suspected Russian Threat
Canada Aligns With US, UK and Australia as Europe Prepares Major Digital Border Overhaul
Meghan Markle’s Planned Australia Appearance Sparks Fresh Speculation
Starmer Warns Sustained Effort Needed to Ensure US–Iran Ceasefire Holds
UK to Partner with Shipping Industry to Rebuild Confidence in Strait of Hormuz, Cooper Says
UK Interest Rate Expectations Ease Following US–Iran Ceasefire Agreement
Starmer Signals Major Effort Needed to Fully Reopen Strait of Hormuz During Gulf Visit
UK Fuel Prices Face Ongoing Volatility Amid Global Pressures and Domestic Factors
Kanye West’s Planned Italy Festival Appearance Draws Debate After UK Entry Ban
Smuggling Routes Shift Toward Belgium as Migrant Crossings to UK Evolve
Ceasefire Offers Potential Relief for UK Fuel and Food Prices Amid Ongoing Uncertainty
Iran Conflict Raises Questions Over UK’s Global Influence and Military Preparedness
Senator McConnell Visits Kentucky to Highlight Federal Investment in Local Projects
Kanye West Barred from Entering UK as Legal Grounds Come into Focus
UK Denies Visa to Kanye West After Sponsors Withdraw from Wireless Festival
Trump-Era Forest Service Restructuring Leads to Closure of UK Lab Focused on Kentucky Woodland Health
Foreign Students in the UK Describe Harsh Living Conditions and Financial Pressures
Reform UK Proposes Visa Restrictions on Nations Pursuing Reparations Claims
Public Reaction Divides Over UK Decision to Bar Kanye West
Calls Grow for UK to Review US Base Access Following Concerns Over Escalating Rhetoric
UK Indicates It Will Not Permit Use of Its Bases for Potential US Strikes on Iran’s Energy Infrastructure
UK Prime Minister Defends Decision to Bar Kanye West, Questions Festival Booking
×