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Walwyn pushes back on govt’s ‘free’ Toad Hall Estate acquisition

Myron Walwyn

Former legislator Myron Walwyn has expressed disagreement with the government’s proposed approach of reclaiming the Toad Hall Estate property in Virgin Gorda that is close to the Baths. 

In late 2019, the Cabinet – then led by Andrew Fahie – approved the purchase of 5.5 acres of real estate located within The Greater Baths National Park. The purpose was for the expansion of The Baths on Virgin Gorda. Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley recently gave an indication that the government may have found a way to acquire the property without having to fork out any cash to the company that owned the area.

However, Walwyn, who is an attorney by profession, expressed disbelief after reading news about the government’s intention. 

“I urge the government to not go in this direction. Not because you may have a legal right to do something means that it is right morally and ethically,” Walwyn stated in a Facebook post.

The former legislator argued that once the government adopts this position, they will set a precedence on the bona vacantia principle which could have a negative impact on the territory’s financial services sector. 

“I urge the government to enter into fair negotiations and ensure that there is compensation made for the property. Your legal right to take the property via bona vacantia should be a negotiation point used in your favour at most,” Walwyn said.

Bona Vacantia‘ also known as “vacant goods” or “ownerless goods” in Latin, is a legal term for the situation in which property is left without any clear owner. The bona vacantia property may have been abandoned, mislaid, or forgotten by the owner. 

Bona vacantia can also refer to property left by someone who has died intestate (without a legal will) and has no known heirs.

Ownerless property, by law passes to the Crown. However, the Crown does not have to deal with it in any particular way and normally an asset will either be disclaimed or sold for full market value.

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16 Comments

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  1. auh hah says:

    The Esteem gonna rag he up today just monitor the blogs.

    Like 7
    Dislike 2
  2. Great says:

    This is EXACTLY why we need learned, intelligent and knowledgeable people in Government!!

    Like 32
    Dislike 2
  3. Nation says:

    Who is he to talk about moral and ethical? Has the school wall investigations been completed please??

    Like 16
    Dislike 33
  4. #2 says:

    Like the contract or no-contract his restaurant catering service had with the House of Assembly…moral and ethical you say…

    Like 9
    Dislike 19
  5. PT09 says:

    @Nation Two wrongs don’t make a right.

    Like 13
  6. Again says:

    Again slowande, steven green has relatives plus the man just died not long you guys agreed to buybbefore.Andrew is not here so what.He agreed to pay not you ,vincent,shereen can’t come to.pull no fleece over our eyes.This is bulls**t

    Like 11
  7. Again says:

    Again slowande, steven green has relatives plus the man just died not long you guys agreed to buybbefore.Andrew is not here so what.He agreed to pay not you ,vincent,shereen can’t come to.pull no fleece over our eyes.This is bulls**t

  8. BuzzBvi says:

    Who ever going to invest in property in the VI if the Governments here keep taking them from people for nothing. Look at what happened to Prospect Reef and the disgrace of what we are left with. VI moral compass is a long way adrift and has been for many years amongst our ruling classes.

    Like 15
  9. @Nation says:

    And look how he treats his (ex) employees…. No termination pay!

    Like 6
    Dislike 2
  10. @ AUH HUH says:

    YOU KNOW WHA YO SAYING , 2 DONE GOT IN ALREADY / LOOKS LIKE A PERSONAL VENDETTA GOING ON (deY )

  11. Asura says:

    This man could talk about morals? The million dollars school wall now under coi investigation and his victimization when he was a minister? boy go take some seats

    Like 5
    Dislike 13
  12. ALLYO says:

    STILL GOT EVILNESS FOR THE GUY / IF THE COI DIDN’T FIND HE DID SOMETHING WRONG IT WOULD OF BEEN EXPOSED ,AND THE SAME THING WITH SMITH , ( ITS NOT ABOUT THE MESSENGER , ITS ABOUT THE MESSAGE ) IF HE GOT IT WRONG , PLEASE ENLIGHTEN US AND PLEASE THROW YOUR HATRED IN THE GABBAGE / LIVE AND LET LIVE

    Like 1
    Dislike 1
  13. WHY SO MUCH HATRED ??? says:

    OUR MASTER BEGGED FOR A COI , AND WE GOT IT / OF HE COMMITTED A CRIME , IT WOULD OF BEEN EXPOSED AND CONVICICTED , YET YOU ALL STILL CARRY THIS EVILNESS WITHIN / NOW IF WHAT HE SAID IS INCORRECT THEN PLEASE ENLIGHTEN US , ,( ITS NOT ABOUT THE MESSENGER , ITS THE MESSAGE / LIVE AND LET LIVE

  14. AG says:

    What is the role and function of the Attorney General in advising on matters like these? The AG is the first lawyer we should be hearing from.

  15. Hmmm says:

    I was wondering from whom the Premier is receiving advice, because I am sure the owner of that land had an estate and heirs.

  16. Lilly says:

    The things the Premier should talk get hidden and what he should shut up about gets divulged. He had better take advice from the right people and stop talking on a whim.

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