“I am deeply saddened by the damage being done to the reputation of our home. In many ways we have called this upon ourselves. If we call ourselves corrupt, without evidence to support our assertions in the name of parochial politics, people will begin to believe that we truly are. In many respects, we know the things that we are promulgating are not true and in other instances, we are reckless as to whether what we say is true or false,” Walwyn said in a Facebook post.

The former Education Minister under the previous NDP administration is at the centre of a scandal involving the controversial Elmore Stoutt High School perimeter wall project.

The police carried out investigations into the wall project after the release of a special report from the Office of the Auditor General which concluded that the former Walwyn-led Education Ministry did not comply with the government’s Public Finance Regulations — the laws that govern such projects.

The police handed their findings over to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). It is likely this scandal will be brought up in the upcoming COI, which will examine political administrations within the last few years.

Drop the petty politics

Amid the possibilities, Walwyn called for the BVI to put aside “petty politics” and put the territory’s interest first.

“This country has given so much to all of us who have been privileged to live within its borders. It is high time that we all put her first. Rest down the petty politics, the useless blame games and usual manufacturing of our alternative truths that unfortunately has taken root in our community. This is not only a local matter that we are currently facing. It has serious international implications for our home,” Walwyn’s post said.

Time for introspection

The former minister also said the upcoming COI and reputational damage to the BVI call for residents to reflect and “to see how we can all become better citizens/residents and do our utmost to take better care of our home”.

The historic COI which was ordered to determine whether there is alleged political corruption in the BVI is currently underway. The findings are expected to be presented to Governor John Rankin in July of this year.