CedarBridge students missed the chance to see Cory Booker last week after the Ministry of Education refused to allow him to speak at an assembly.

The former US politician was in Bermuda to speak on diversity as part of the United Bermuda Party's 40th Anniversary celebrations.

Mr. Booker, declared simply to Bermudians that “if you want carrots, you've got to plant carrots”. He called on the Island to embrace diversity and celebrate differences. One can learn from every single human being one meets, he said, however humble.

Though he spoke on the Shirley Dill show and at a forum hosted by the UBP at St. Paul's AME Centennial Church Hall, he was denied the chance to speak at CedarBridge because a routine process was not followed, Government said.

“Any organisation that desires a political figure to come on the premises of a public school to address students must inform the Chief Education Officer in writing,” Education spokesperson John Burchall said. “The Chief Education Officer will examine each request and make a determination based solely on its individual merit.

“This process was not followed in the case of Cory Booker.”

A UBP source, however, said CedarBridge principal Kalmar Richards had given the green light to Mr. Booker, and that a “firm” date and time had been arranged. Then, four days before Mr. Booker was due to speak, the UBP was told he could not be accommodated.

The UBP offered to bring Mr. Booker to Berkeley, the source said, but did not push the issue as CedarBridge had already been confirmed. “At the end of the day, it sounds to me like what happened is the Chief Education Officer turned the idea down irrespective of the wishes of the principal,” the source said.

“I was disappointed. He had a message that young people should hear.”