Blatant disrespect! Skelton Cline rejects June release of COI report
Social Commentator Claude Skelton Cline has called the publication timeline for the Commission of Inquiry (COI) report a ‘blatant disregard and disrespect’ to the people of the BVI and to the leadership that they have elected.
In a interview on ZBVI radio yesterday, the talk show host and clergyman lashed out at the United Kingdom (UK) and Governor John Rankin for a release timeline that projected a likely June date for the COI report to make its way into the public domain.
During the interview, Skelton Cline questioned how elected officials could go to the UK to negotiate anything with the governor and other UK officials on behalf of the people of the BVI.
“If elected officials in the government and on the Opposition side think that they have the right to run off on behalf of the people without the people knowing for what reason and to what end they are running off for, it’s wrong,” the commentator stated.
According to Skelton Cline, the governor’s projected timeline is effectively six to seven months away from any likely general election that could be held.
The BVI‘s elections are constitutionally due sometime in early 2023 and Premier Andrew Fahie has repeatedly indicated that he is not inclined to call an election date before that time.
A line in the sand
Meanwhile, the talk show host suggested the projected timeline to make the report public should be rejected.
“This for me and for others should be a line in the sand,” Skelton Cline stated.
He continued: “I think that on behalf of the people that this is another colonial move and the UK simply don’t understand the people of these Virgin Islands and the people of these Virgin Islands must see this for what it is, call it for what it is and do not allow this to happen.”
Skelton Cline suggested that persons call the offices of their government ministers and elected representatives and bombard their phones to register their discontent with the modus operandi, as laid out by the governor.
“What I am hoping for is that the people we have elected is in fact of a different mindset,” the outspoken commentator said.
Possible protest?
He also did not rule out taking any protest about the timeline to the streets of the BVI.
“Of course, it’s a democratic society we live in,” he offered when asked about possible street protests. “The people can express theirself in protest if they are not in favor of a process that they see taking place.”
“There is nothing about this demonstrates good governance, nothing about this that demonstrates transparency — the very thing that the UK came here and investigate about us and our foreparents for the last seventy years. This is just wrong on its face,” the outspoken clergyman added.
Skelton Cline and his controversial dealings with the government over the year have been one of the focuses of the COI during the inquiry.
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I wonder why?
I don’t want to read too much into the June release date. I suspect that time is needed to read the report in full, prepare for any contingency plans if there will be, and prepare for whatever eventuality.
Disclosing the report in advance of the public to the Premier and the leaders of the respective political parties as the governor relayed in his news conference is proper.
At any rate, I have a feeling there will be a different atmosphere in the country after the report is released. I say this based on the reported length of the report and its some 40 recommendations.
The June timing is critical and if I am being conspiratorial, I would think its revelation is being timed with the upcoming election in mind. Bad news coming out of that report will not be good for the reelection chances of currently elected members of the HOA, and may be a boost to some new comers election prospects. All of this of course will be contingent upon no suspension of the constitution.
By the way the subject of this article should know I personally do not feel disrespected by the June release date, and I have no interest in joining a protest. Im more interested in knowing if the report would have addressed serious problems that came to light during the hearings as I see them with the governance of the country.
If there was nothing much in the report they would release it.
From this delay you may conclude that there is serious stuff in there and things need to be in place to handle the reaction.
CSC … If you were wise, which you are not, you would shut up and start to ask for forgiveness….. I suggest you scout out a new residence and church in Haiti, Somalia or Mogadishu. Criminal activity is accepted in those locations …
The reason for the lag time is to share the report with the elected government . Would you rather they NOT do that and just drop the report on everyone at the same time giving officials no time to prepare? I thought not, so pipe down.
You all talking about enslavement… How did the BVI. Come to this crossroad ?
Ask your Premier who showed disrespect ?
Wasn’t it disrespect when he went to snitched an his political opponent ?
Why didn’t they get together as leaders and work out their differences without bringing this dark blanket to hang over the country ?
One word “BADMINDNESS “
It has bring everyone down so hush
It looks more like the white blanket, not dark.
?and who are you?????,
This earthly scourge is a comical sufferation.
This yank need to sit down and shut up. Social commentator my a**, more like social pollution. Go back to America you po**ous p**t. We ain need ayo kind here mi son. Dat ain’t fa we. The percentage of the population that is on your side is so low it wouldn’t even garner a single percent. So go away and stop acting so much a f**l pretending you represent da people dem.
This is one of those times that talk show host needs to shut up.
They should think about the possibility of being arrested if they visit UK. As for CSC he wants to be top dog if/ when he gets his independence.
“The coverup is worse then the crime”
When you get access to the report early and you imagine how you’re going to clean it up, DON’T DO IT.
I’ll say it again:
DON’T DO IT
It is blatantly disrespectful to fill your boots with public money and never deliver the programme for the children that you were paid to provide.
It is blatantly disrespectful to be overpaid for a government contract and then refuse to return the excess.
I agree wholeheartedly with CCS. It shows the disregard the UK has for the BVI. The public need to see the report. Why is it a secret?
Look who is in the background 22-24 seconds into the interview. Yes, sorry you have to wait for advertisement to run.
https://www.today.com/today/embedded-video/mmvo138217541538
They apparently have a history of inserting themselves at the seats of political power. No crime in that but comparing their time there with their time here, there is a common thread. Makes you wonder what they really want. A seat at God’s feet or a seat among those who holds power. Ill let others be the judge.
I am a BVI to the bone but Fahie administration has us in this predicament.
We have to deal with the consequences like it or not
Full of empty talks . If he had put country over self no one would be wondering about the implications of the recommendations . The horse is out of the barn
he cant wait?
THAT PLAYER NEEDS A GOOD BULLPISSLE ? AND LET’S SEE HOW FAST HE IS COMING UP CGB HILL TO REPAY …
Running scared…
Please stop giving this jacka** any attention. Not newsworthy, not necessary. Just pumping up his ego. Go back to Detroit.