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‘HoA bully’ Hon Myron V. Walwyn threatens Speaker
![It was the same Hon Myron V. Walwyn who recently defended Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2), right, when he [Hon Turnbull] reportedly told Hon Sharie B. deCastro, left, to 'shut up and sit down' during a HoA engagement. Photo: YouTube](https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/cache/images/800x_8_800x_d_disrespectful_Turnbull.jpg)
Hon Walwyn’s behaviour was condemned by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), who also took it upon himself to apologise to both the Speaker and Hon Walwyn.
‘Woefully inadequate’ response- Hon Walwyn
It was during the continuation of the Second Sitting of the Second Session of the Fifth House of Assembly (HoA) when Hon Walwyn, in asking a question of the Premier, said Premier Wheatley gave the Territory the impression that an investigation into the $20M USD underestimation of salary increases to Public Officers was being conducted.
“However, during the recent Standing Finance sessions, we discovered that this was not so. Could the Premier and Minister of Finance advise what is the status of the investigation into this matter and provide tangible proof of his efforts to have this investigation commence? a) If the investigation has not commenced, could he say explicitly why this has not commenced? b) Could he state when he discovered that the investigation was not being conducted? c) Why didn’t he advise the public that the investigation that he gave them the impression that was being conducted was not being done?”
Hon Walwyn had also said he didn’t want a “word salad” response from the Premier.
Premier Wheatley had responded that it was the Governor who had informed the Financial Secretary via a memo on October 17, 2024, “confirming that he had discussions with internal audit and that the investigation had commenced.”
The Premier continued that he was surprised to hear during Standing Finance Committee, which was held in November and December last year, about “information contradicting what the Governor wrote.”
He said he was subsequently informed by the governor “that the Auditor General has taken on this task and started an investigation” and that the report would be made available to the HoA at the appropriate time.
“Madam Speaker, that response is woefully inadequate,” Hon Walwyn replied.
Member’s comprehension must be 'woefully inadequate’- Premier
Asked by the Speaker to state what he needed clarified, Hon Walwyn said he did not get a date when the Premier learned there was no investigation and why he didn’t inform the public, adding that he [Walwyn] must have had a senior moment.
After the Premier suggested that it must be that the Member’s comprehension must be “woefully inadequate”, the Speaker called for a recess.
Speaker threatened
On the return, Hon Walwyn stood on a Point of Order to demand an apology from the Premier. “Because this House and the same respect that you have been talking about all day, Madam Speaker, I will put it to you very strongly, your authority would be under threat if the Premier is not reprimanded in some manner for what he said to me today.”
“Why do I feel like I have just been threatened?” Speaker Corine N. George-Massicote remarked.
Hon Walwyn claimed he would never do so and that he was just watching out for the integrity of the HoA.
According to the Opposition Member, he was “being embarrassed” for asking questions on behalf of his constituents. “Madam Speaker, I can’t accept that and you should not accept that. This is your House.”
It was the same Hon Walwyn who recently defended Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) when he told Hon Sharie B. deCastro (AL) to "shut up and sit down" during a HoA engagement.
‘Poor taste’
Premier Wheatley then stated that he was so “disturbed” to hear what Hon Walwyn said to the Speaker of the House in making a point about respect and “at the very same time threatening the Speaker and her authority.”
After stating that he found Hon Walwyn’s behaviour to be in “very poor taste” and that the member should examine himself, Premier Wheatley said he would be “the bigger person” and apologised to the Speaker and Hon Walwyn for his response to Hon Walwyn’s provocation.
Dr Wheatley then reiterated that he learned there was no investigation during Standing Finance Committee and that he did not inform the public because “My interest is to ensure the investigation was done,” adding that he subsequently had a conversation with the governor “and we were able to come to a point where we were to get an investigation going.”
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23 Responses to “‘HoA bully’ Hon Myron V. Walwyn threatens Speaker”
What threat…so petty.
He plays willfully ignorant these are the actions of a bully I am doing this because I can and there’s nothing anyone can do about it, but when called out I am going to pretend that don’t know what they are taking about.
Agreed. My understanding is that Mr. Walwyn was saying that if the Speaker failed to reprimand the Premier, it would undermine (threaten) her authority as Speaker.
Well done Mr. Dr. Premier.