Skelton caves in

The tension that gripped the National Democratic Party government over the weekend into Monday has started to subside; this after Minister of Health Ronnie Skelton reportedly changed his posture regarding the forced resignation of an appointee under his ministry.

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr D Orlando Smith, late last week, ordered the minister to have Bishop John Cline resign forthwith as Chairman of the state-owned BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA).

The request was made after Bishop Cline, on public radio, said he agreed that Premier Smith should hand over the reins of the finance ministry to Skelton.

Amid tension over the premier’s demand, Bishop Cline eventually tendered his resignation.

In an interview with BVI News Online yesterday, he stated that the health minister was not in agreement with his forced resignation.

But, according to the clergyman, the minister eventually decided to accept Premier Smith’s dictate.

“The minister is a team player, and he is not in agreement with the decision [for me to resign], but he is a team player and so he goes along with it. That is how democracy works: I don’t always agree with you, but if you think this is the right thing for you to do right now, I will go along with it because you are the leader,” Bishop Cline added.

Asked if the health minister’s about-turn has affected the bond they built over many years, Bishop Cline replied: “I respect him and I respect his decision. I give him the liberty to make a decision given all things considered.”

Bishop Cline added that his connection with the health minister ‘far supersedes’ anything relating to the BVIHSA.