Sachkia Barnes, owner of Barnes PR, a local public relations company, has filed a law suit in the Eastern Caribbean Court of Justice, to recover unpaid debt incurred for public relations work done for the National Democratic Party (NDP) during the 2019 elections. Both the NDP and Chairman at the time of engagement, Myron Walwyn were named in the lawsuit.
The filing in the Court was made on 20 June 2025, just ahead of the six (6) year statute of limitations deadline on which a debt could be collected in the British Virgin Islands.
According to the filing made in the Court, Barnes is owed some $28,908.32, plus other fees and interests incurred, totaling just under $40,000.00 USD.
In Barnes Statement of Claims to the Court, she pointed out that on June 20, 2019, she submitted Invoice #1230 in the sum of $28,908.32 to the First (NDP) and Second Defendant (Walwyn) for payment on completion of work.
On May 13, 2020 Barnes also arranged for the preparation and delivery of a demand letter by Counsel to the defendants, however, she did not receive a response, according to her filing. Guavaberry Media was able to retrieve a copy of the said letter which was addressed to Marlon Penn, the present Chairman of the NDP, and who has been the Chairman since late May 2019.
Walwyn Files Response
On 21 August 2025, Second named defendant (Hon) Myron Walwyn filed to have his name removed from the lawsuit, citing that the NDP as a registered entity, and the seat of Chairman should be held solely responsible.
In the lawsuit filed, Barnes has admitted to being contracted by Walwyn, on behalf of the NDP.
“In or around November 2018, the Claimant was engaged by the Second Defendant, acting on behalf of the First Defendant, to serve as the campaign manager and communications strategist for the NDP for the 2019 General Election campaign.” as stated in the court filing.
Walwyn’s response filing as the Second Defendant also noted that he resigned as NDP Chairman in May 2019, some two months after the General Elections of that year.
In an interview on the ‘Cut Deep’ platform just a couple weeks ago, Walwyn admitted that Penn asked him to hand over the reigns of the NDP to him following the loss at the polls in 2019. He admitted inviting Penn to a meeting in May 2019 to discuss a way to take the NDP forward and to rebuild the party, however, Penn asked him to step aside.
Further, contrary to Barnes filing, Walwyn has also stated that he does not recall receiving invoice #1230 handed in around June 2019 or the letter of May 2020 served by Counsel.
“Paragraph 7 is not admitted. The Second Defendant does not recall receiving Invoice#1230 from the First Claimant. The Second Defendant resigned as the Chairman of the First Defendant on 21 May 2019 which would have preceded the invoice which was allegedly sent on 20 June 2019, and the demand letter dated 13 May 2020. The Second Defendant does not recall receiving any of the above-mentioned documents.” As stated in Walwyn’s response filing.
Six Years later…
Barnes has admitted to attempting to recoup the debt amicably for some time, but to no avail, and has moved to make the necessary filings via the court, in an effort not to have the statutes of limitations run out and leave her with no legal way of recouping the debt.
Her filings note that despite many follow ups, suggested payment plans, and demands, the defendants have failed or refuse to pay the outstanding. Further stating that it has caused her undue financial hardships.
The Question of Leadership Arises
Myron Walwyn, one of the named defendants and former Chairman of the NDP has stated that it is no longer his responsibility given that he handed over leadership of the party just after the election of 2019, and that the NDP is a registered NPO entity.
In his interview with Cut Deep a couple weeks prior, Walwyn quipped about the state of the NDP’s structure, and he lamented that it appeared to be functioning without an executive, and it appeared Penn was a one man show.
Both insiders and residents have continuously pointed out Penn’s inability to bring the NDP together, and under his leadership, lead the party to yet another loss at the polls in the elections of 2023.
Two questions overwhelmingly sent to our Editor in reference to the matter, include:
Who is responsible for clearing the debt?
What kind of leadership can the Chairman of the NDP offer to the Territory?
With others bringing accountability into question and being concerned with the time that has lapsed on a debt owing to a small business.
Our Editor in Chief asked Hon. Walwyn if to his knowledge, there was any debt in relation to his individual campaign for political office, he said no, not to his knowledge. He also noted that there was a prior structure in place with the NDP in terms of paying bills, however, he is unable to speak to how the party now functions.
Both Barnes and Walwyn appear to be without legal counsel, and the National Democratic Party has yet to file a response on the matter.
Guavaberry Media will continue to follow this developing story.