The Governor says he provides a "steady heartbeat" for our Constitution, but it must have been racing when he saw the state of his car this week.

This was the scene after Sir John Vereker's Rover 75 collided with a wall after heavy rain on Wednesday. If the Governor has been accused of stonewalling on certain controversial issues, then this picture would certainly seem to provide evidence.

The crash happened at 11.30 a.m. as the Governor's driver was travelling with Kevin De Silva, aide-de-camp to Sir John. He said: "The car slid out on the wet surface on the corner nearing Devonshire Dock. Responding to the slide, the driver corrected the spin, yet was unable to keep the car from hitting the wall."

The Rover is a four-year-old "runabout" — one of two official cars belonging to Government House. "We are still awaiting estimates of the damage from the insurance company," said Capt. De Silva.

He added that no one was hurt and there were no other vehicles involved. The Governor has spoken of his role in ensuring stability in Bermuda.

At the Queen's Birthday Parade in June, Sir John said he aimed to provide "a steady heartbeat for the Constitution, a heartbeat unperturbed by short-term politics, a heartbeat that provides an assurance of stability and integrity in an uncertain world".

Unfortunately this Bermuda Stone wall proved not so stable.