I’m not willing to give any evidence on private contract with gov’t
Calling his public appearance ‘theatre’, a seemingly fiery and combative Claude Skelton Cline appeared before the ongoing Commission of Inquiry (COI) today insisting that he is unwilling participant on anything relating to the Neighbourhood Partnership Program government contracted him to head in 2010.
Skelton Cline told the Commissioner, Sir Gary Hickinbottom, in an extensive back-and-forth exercise that the COI was “going to feel some resistance” in response to any questions that were posed to him (Skelton Cline) on the matter.
Skelton Cline was contracted by various administrations over the years as a contractor in several projects that were seen through various Auditor General’s reports as offering negligible or no value-for-money to the government and taxpayers of the BVI.
Pointing to any and all questions about government contracts he held through his private businesses, the clergyman said: “I, Claude Skelton Cline, am not willing to participate in that,” Cline told the COI.
I am a private citizen
Skelton Cline, who rarely allowed the Commissioner or his attorney, Bilal Rawat, to get off any questions at the start of his appearance, told the COI that he is a private citizen and claimed that he was being targeted and singled out.
He also asserted — incorrectly, as pointed out by the Commissioner — that he was the only private citizen brought before the COI. Others such as Steve Augustine who was contracted to work on the high school wall project have also appeared.
According to Skelton Cline, being a private citizen and clergyman in the community, as opposed to a public official, meant he should not be faced with questions in the public domain.
He denied being involved in any illegal activities, concoctions or kickbacks with any governments and said he was passionate about how he felt.
“It feels like theatre, it feels like a public lynching,” the outspoken clergyman and talk show host said.
He further told the COI that the best forum for him to be of assistance would be in a “private sitting” somewhere.
I never read the reports, but I heard the criticisms
Though Skelton Cline admitted to having never read any of the criticisms directed at him in the Auditor General’s report on the partnership project, the clergyman said he was not in agreement with them, arguing that they were incomplete and filled with innuendo.
“I disagree with the entire report because the entire report is based on incomplete information,” Skelton Cline stated.
Sir Gary told the clergyman that he could not be in a position to refute a report that he had not read.
But Skelton Cline said he had heard criticisms made about him in the public. “I have heard with my own ears in the testimony from the Auditor General, Mr Commissioner,” Skelton Cline stated.
Sir Gary in response said: “It would have been better if you had read the report with your own eyes. We’re not here to have a sort of broad debate and it would be helpful to me if you would answer the questions, which through, Mr Rawat I’m going to put to you.”
Skelton Cline’s evidence continues before the COI today. His position to be “resistant” to the COI seemingly softened as the hearing progressed.
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yeah but he was glad to get public money in private. Dude arrogant like anybody afraid of him
Gus wants a UK signatory in the Ministry of Finance, a finding that Andrew should not hold office, and criminal
Proceedings against Claude – Sir Gaza will oblige.
Just **** him up. Same t***very in Detroit. How he claims he’s a clergyman is beyond comprehension. By refusing to answer simple questions he shows his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Looking forward to the prosecution phase of the COI.
“His position to be “resistant” to the COI seemingly softened as the hearing progressed”
No surprise there because all of them just have “big talk” but are cow*rd$ at heart. Hush your backside and eat pizza
For someone who holds himself as a “ leader “ and intelligent , he has a very bad memory.
Hard to say who was worse. Willock or Cline.
Or a very good memory and a guilty conscience
Adios mofo.
You just gave the COI the evidence they needed. Showboating and grandstanding make you appear foolish, ignorant, and aloof. That was your downfall.
lock him up
Guess there is a lot to hide. No wonder he is an unwilling party…offering resistance. Wonder if he scared of what may eventually be revealed.
LOCK HIS A** UP.
Guess he has everything to hide? Don’t worry he can be subpoenaed in the next phase when the criminal trial begins.
He will be ok this news site sucks
The same can be said about our people, who gets great gratification out of tearing down, destroying, bad mouthing and victimizing, among others, and worst for our own kind.
We Black people have many enemies as a race of people, but we are our own worst enemy in every aspect of life…..
Meanwhile, and as a result of extended horrific acts done to,,,,,, there is some serious karmic realities soon coming for a lot ah people, both in VG and Tola.
Some say god don’t sleep. Well neither does karma.
One reaps what one sows.
Sow bad unto others. Worst, in some form, will repay you.
The hell some have suffered all their lives at the hands of persons in authority and decision making positions, is indescriable, inhumane and down right wicked.
The consequences of such range from insufficient funds to live on to deep depression and more.
Then they go through each day wearing a masquarade of deception upon their face, call themseles good hearted people and christians, hoping to show God and heaven their evil, murderous minds, hearts and soul.
May our ancestors continue to uphold the innocent ones.
Lock him up
Exactly. There’s a very big problem with us Black people, and that’s self hate. Disliking of our own and that’s why others races, take advantage of our stupidity.
The daily threads/ comments on this reveals our chronic pathology of self hate and preferred desire to annihilate our own. Does not matter the status, level of education or other.
We must change those obvious pathologies or we will remain stagnant. A ship that goes backwards instead of forward may never reach its destination. A person who never learns to read will die knowledge deficient.
Is it strange how the “Pastor” can hook himself up with any Government party – VIP, NDP, –P?
They giving this f**l big money contract to pay for his lavish house etc. Man don’t even produce a report stating what he does. THAT IS ALLEGED FRAUD.
of a tapeworm you expose it to stuff it doesn’t like, and hopefully, it becomes uncomfortable and eventually falls out into the toilet.
I remember this Private citizen saying if he goes down so will others and about having information about the Pier Park.
This ‘web’, is well tangled.
Why boasted thy self oh evil men playing smart and not being clever who so ever digeth a pit shall bury in it
If we are being fair, CSC has raised very valid points. He was willing to participate before but seeing how the process is running, his dealings as a private citizen have nothing to do with governance of public bodies. All he is saying is, question the government on those parts. I do not always agree with him but I have to this time, whether he has anything to hide or not. It is easy to judge when the shoe is on the other foot.
You Moo moo. When someone with no relevant skills gets awarded multi $100,000 contracts questions need to asked. CSK is in much deeper than just a contractor
You want to take money fro the public purse – but the contract is “private”? No sah – does not work that way.
A contract with the public sector by definition cannot by private
Missing the point. Question is, can a private citizen be compelled to give public evidence in a public forum on the account of the government where the onus is on the government to show that they exercised good governance? If so, upon what basis. It is the government to be held accountable…nothing to do with the private citizen. I think this is the point.. got milk?
You missing the point. CSK is more than just a private contractor, he has become a key member of the government and F** Alberts voice piece
I want ANY and ALL of my tax dollars spent on Skelton-Cline’s invaluable consulting refunded !!! NOW!
looks like the expertise was simply in collecting money
“private contract” TAX PAYERS MONEY.
You put your finger on it. All these contracts with government are private deals with no accountability. Isn’t that the very definition of corruption?
Lock him up
His body laguage is appaling. Contemptous casual dress, just like the premier at governors farewell, lounging in his chair, feet almost up on the desk, and refusing to look at any paperwork. Does he think this looks good or macho? I suppose some will support him. He seems to know nothing about any of his contracts, what if anything he reported. Basically “he was on leave all the time so knows nothing”. Bet he will be boasting on his show tomorrow about how he saw off the COI. HE WILL BE RECORDED AS A HOSTILE WITNESS.
His appearance and demeanor leaves a negative impression of his person, his personal h****ne.
His closing remarks, laughable coming from this disre****tful poverty p**p. He needs to school himself on the true meaning of “son of the soil”.’Facts dictate that this man with hyphenated surname is not a son of BVI soil but rather a …
Galatians 6:7-8
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
No Integrity!!
After watching the COI with this im***ile, I am pleased to say I am a NON-belonger. He probably feels entitled now thinking “I showed dem how it’s done!” but all he did was be an embarrassment to the BVI.
The premise behind this is offensive. You consider one belonger an imbecile and on that basis paint the entire group with a broad brush stroke of negatives that you ascribe to this one person to the extent that you declare your pleasure and satisfaction at not being one of them. I sincerely hope that you are a non-belonger living among non-belongers outside of the country of belongers you so effusively deride. This has nothing to do with CSK and is a matter of principle.
This reads just like a CSC statement.
This person to whom you refer is an im***ter
Hence the hyphenated last name.
Why these people think its ok to want public money and keep everything private? This man is a prime example of everything wring with this place. Everything he ever been involved in has been crap and the public did not get what they pay for… Yet his opinion is still regarded and he is still chosen for important roles he is not qualified for… Why!?
Good question. Why indeed?
When this is done, they might have to refurbish the Road Town prison to hold just these politicians, contractors and consultants. But if that is too small, then maybe the British can help us knock up a special quarantine type camp down by the incinerator.
The government can contract for the barge and incarcerate them there. Better use than as a “radar platform”. Lmfao
Boy pretending he a man of god. He only a man of $$$$
S***ling from the poor, to fill dem pockets
Know when to walk away know when to run
The contract you were given was public money to do public community work . Not a contract for your personal domistic use . It is as for the country . Therefore accountability was needed . Deflecting is not getting you any place . It only makes you look arrogant and foolish . That is the way you rebuke your members ???
CSC will probably be the first guy to run if criminally charged. Please *** him now or he will be fugitive for the rest of his life.
i love the way he defends him self of allegations that have not been made or even mentioned by the COI.
Yea Verily, Beware of the man that dry snitcheth on himself. For he will take others down with him if he deemeth it necessary.
i hope our youngsters dont look at him as a role model .
This character is everything that i dont want my son to be. Reminds me of COURT CAMS where witnesses and defendant misbehave.
This looks like a referral to The DPP.
God hates a proud person.
What a disgrace of your behavior to us.
You need to be humbled .
Our grandparents who fought for this country and those hard working civil servants that toiled for this country are weeping and rolling in their graves.
This is what we are thieves, lyers and puff up.
The head of state, the financial secretaries in the ministry of finance needs to vacate their seats.
Incompetent.
I nowI seerwhy Myron was putting competent persons in place and instead of humbling ourselves and learn from the experience person got on the wagon and said we want our own.
Look what we got from them.
History repeats itself with our government.
Many were humbled and I am seeing it again.
Thank you COi for this inquiry. I have learnt so much as a young person and I hope it is a learning lesson for all.
Y’all still can’t figure out what hit you. Play with fire you get burned.
Y’all still can’t figure out what hit you. Tek man fe i***t. Could ah did bright.
Claude mouth lang lang..
Mr Hinklebottom..Claude’s attitude is very prevelant among these Islands.Its standard behaviour.. delusional..quite scary isn’t it.try living here awhile.