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CoI into VI Gov’t is ‘procedurally undemocratic’- Skelton-Cline

-blazes local politicians who openly welcomed the move
ZBVI 780am Honestly Speaking radio moderator, Claude O. Skelton-Cline has called the ongoing Commission of Inquiry into the government of the Virgin Islands (VI) one that in undemocratic and colonialist, against the people of the territory. Photo: Facebook
The Commission of Inquiry was called by controversial former Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert to look into whether corruption, abuse of office or other serious dishonesty may have taken place amongst public, elected and statutory officials in recent years in the [British] Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
The Commission of Inquiry was called by controversial former Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert to look into whether corruption, abuse of office or other serious dishonesty may have taken place amongst public, elected and statutory officials in recent years in the [British] Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
Persons who have openly welcomed the Commission of Inquiry have been criticised for what Claude O. Skelton-Cline described as anti-nationalist remarks against a people are on the path towards greater autonomy. Photo: VINO/File
Persons who have openly welcomed the Commission of Inquiry have been criticised for what Claude O. Skelton-Cline described as anti-nationalist remarks against a people are on the path towards greater autonomy. Photo: VINO/File
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI – ZBVI 780am Honestly Speaking radio moderator, Claude O. Skelton-Cline has called the ongoing Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the government of the Virgin Islands (VI) undemocratic and colonialist against the people of the territory.

The Commission of Inquiry was called by controversial former Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert to look into whether corruption, abuse of office or other serious dishonesty may have taken place amongst public, elected and statutory officials in recent years in the [British] Virgin Islands. 

“The Commission of Inquiry is not a good thing in no shape, form, nor fashion. It is a complete undermining of our human rights, it is procedurally undemocratic in its procedure in terms of our values and our own system of government,” Skelton-Cline said.

CoI undermines rights of VI

Speaking on the Thursday, February 16, 2021, edition of the Honestly Speaking show, Mr Skelton-Cline further said the CoI undermines the rights of the people of the Virgin Islands while comparing what happened in previous CoI of similar nature.

Pointing to the last CoI in the Turks and Caicos Islands, Skelton-Cline said that similar to the VI, there was a broad scope where an entire country was labelled corrupt, to literally investigate the country.

“Is the most dictatorial, paternalistic, colonial imperialistic… it's the most undemocratic thing and so I completely disagree with anyone who suggests that somehow this Commission of Inquiry is a good thing,” he said.

Persons who have openly welcomed the move were also criticised for what he described as anti-nationalist remarks against a people are on the path towards greater autonomy.

CoI goes against self-determined future 

“I even hear some of the politicians and elected official responses about this Commission of inquiry… about they [are] welcoming this and welcoming that,” he said.

“I mean that's the political, nice song and nuanced thing to say but that cannot be true to who we are as a people, how we have matured over these last 70 years since our own self-governance,” he said.

He called the CoI an aberration to a self-determined people and noted that persons should have the right to choose on issues.

23 Responses to “CoI into VI Gov’t is ‘procedurally undemocratic’- Skelton-Cline ”

  • Rubber Duck (18/02/2021, 08:25) Like (37) Dislike (0) Reply
    Runnin scared.
    • @rubber duck (18/02/2021, 09:54) Like (6) Dislike (9) Reply
      Well you don't have to run scared...just run back home! If you have a problem with our government, you can go home and criticize your own.
    • @ rubber duck (18/02/2021, 10:34) Like (1) Dislike (19) Reply
      The man is right he is speaking truth to power
    • @rubber duck (18/02/2021, 12:46) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
      If you think the UK isn't corrupt, you haven't looked hard enough

      ...As public outrage grows over the billions of pounds of coronavirus contracts issued by the government without competition, it seems determined only to award more of them. Never mind that the consulting company Deloitte, whose personnel circulate in and out of government, has been strongly criticised for the disastrous system it devised to supply protective equipment to the NHS. It has now been granted a massive new contract to test the population for Covid-19.

      https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/sep/10/uk-corrupt-nation-earth-brexit-money-laundering
      • Rubber Duck (18/02/2021, 13:47) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
        So that makes it OK for the BVI to be more corrupt?

        Get a grip.
  • chosen (18/02/2021, 08:35) Like (32) Dislike (2) Reply
    Because of people like you that is why the BVI is in the mess you are trying to jump the gun. False prophet prophet lies and illusion a true Man of god Wii try to fix things not stir up trouble.
  • Lucifer (18/02/2021, 08:55) Like (26) Dislike (2) Reply
    Someone sounds like they are getting very scared. Surely anything that identifies and helps root out corruption is a good thing for the BVI and its people. If taxpayers' monies is finding its way into the hands of corrupt individuals with no benefit for the territory then it is only right that we know.

    Is Claude going to tell us that BVI Airways, Pier Park and the wall were all legitimate transactions with no one lining their own pockets at the expense of the BVI people?
    • @Lucifer (18/02/2021, 09:56) Like (4) Dislike (7) Reply
      Your name reflect your heart. The Father of Lies and Evil Deception.
      • Lucifer (18/02/2021, 11:09) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
        So you want to tell me that corruption is good? Maybe just as long as its locals engaging in it? Maybe try attacking my argument rather than my name
  • bad2dbone (18/02/2021, 09:17) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    SOME HOW THIS GUY REMINDS ME OF HANNITY ON FOX NEWS
  • oh no! (18/02/2021, 09:18) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply

    So NDP has paid C***Y to hold a no phone, no video, no press s**t chat I meant chit chat with the good people of the BVI. You can tell the intentions are not good for the community in a positive way. I’m sick and tired of C***Y bullying and intimidating people to actually believe her garbage. She have some truth, I’ll admit it but it’s mostly lies and misinformation. It’s like being in a relationship and getting dumped for doing wrong then all up on the feelings because of pride. Boycott C****Y and C** D**P. We’re working hard together to positively build up our community and her intentions are just to get The Whole place looking like a ghetto with a bunch of pot-smoking and unlawful activities. Look at the type of people she line, chill and hangout with. You’ll really want that kind of human be out next Premier ? Or Distract Representative? A person with a cold dark heart have no future and time on tin ice....boycott C***Y & 2** M***a who’s doing no better and using a “ disclaimer “ as an excuse when they fully endorse and support her

    • No joke (18/02/2021, 13:09) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      If C***y use to get 100 dollars each time her name is typed here, she would be a billionaire
  • resident (18/02/2021, 09:25) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    The CoI is the last thing between the BVI and turning into Haiti. Let's hope we get 2 or 3 years of direct rule and some convictions for fraud and corruption whilst in public office to encourage future public officials to play it straight.
  • Shaft (18/02/2021, 09:34) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    D guy is a player
  • Hey, Claude (18/02/2021, 10:18) Like (31) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is not an election. It is an investigation into crime and corruption - not 'democratic' in any circumstances anywhere in the world.
    We don't catch criminals by vote. We catch them by authorities investigating possible wrong-doing and seeing if there is evidence showing who committed it.
    In short, what we want is someone to come and investigate people like you. If they find nothing, so be it. If they find wrongdoing, people like you must pay the consequences for your actions.
    You've been on a high wire for a while now - making loud noises in public while manoeuvring in the dark. It can't last.
    Now, most of us are aware that you are trying to turn this into an anti-colonial and anti white thing to deflect from the accusations with your name attached to them.
    But most BVIslanders are too smart to fall for your donkey noise.
    Enjoy the fall.
  • ... (18/02/2021, 10:35) Like (2) Dislike (22) Reply
    Csc you are on to something, we must reject racist Gus and his one sided inquiry
  • Breezy 1 (18/02/2021, 20:50) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Watch here now !
    Cline longer than twine.
    Sweet in the mouth,
    Then come out like sour lime.
    Yessir!
  • Prophet (19/02/2021, 09:14) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    England is an evil country. They enslaved our forefathers then left them to die, but they survived. They had no interest in the BVI until it starts to become prosperous. Now, the dictators are back. They hate to see a black strive. Imagine, Turks and Caicos had to pay 100 million dollars for defense (to prosecute ministers) and England have not assisted with pAyments. These people aims and objectives are to make sure black people continue to live in abject poverty. English people do not like you all. Their wish is to have all of you behind bars. Who is behind white supremacy - England. They lie to accomplish their goals. All countries on planet earth has corruption. They just want to steal the Bvi assets.
    • AW (20/02/2021, 09:04) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Shut up. You’re just wrong. The world is full of billions of caucasians. UK is full of millions, too, and millions of non-whites. They are 99.9% NOT INTERESTED in you, in oppressing black people (of which there are billions and each one different) and in spending time/energy making your life some kind of hell so they can re-enact some weird 18th century slave fantasy that you pretend they intend to inflict on you
      They just aren’t.
      You can shout to the world that they are, and make all your neighbors hate all caucasians if you think that is a way to make the world better, but what you say will remain untrue. Because it is.
      Did caucasians mistreat Africans after 1500 or so? Yes, all the way up to now. But not ALL. And now ALL are not your enemy. Pretend they are if it makes you feel secure and righteous, but God above knows you’re wrong.

    • Liston (20/02/2021, 10:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

      @prophet
      What do you mean prosperous??? BVI has not made a profit in the last 70 years. If it wasn’t for the UK subsidizing our budget every year through numerous channels we would be starving. We wouldn’t survive 3 years on our own. Get your head out of your a$$ and see the reality. BVI has no natural resources, tourism and financial sector are only doing well because BVI is an OT and foreigners feel safe because of that. The minute BVI becomes an “independent country” that money goes to USVI or some other OT. Think before you speak!



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