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Court dismisses case brought against VI Gov’t by Claude O. Skelton-Cline

- Skelton-Cline had sued Gov't in 2016 for non-renewal of contract as BVI Ports Authority's Managing Director
The case brought against the then National Democratic Party (NDP) Government in 2016 by former Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA) Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline, after he was denied a contract renewal, has been dismissed. Photo: VINO/File
Today, May 23, 2019, High Court Judge Vicki A. Ellis dismissed the case brought against the then National Democratic Party (NDP) Government in 2016 by former Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA) Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline, more than a year after the pending decision of the matter, which had ended since Monday May 7, 2018. Photo: VINO/File
Today, May 23, 2019, High Court Judge Vicki A. Ellis dismissed the case brought against the then National Democratic Party (NDP) Government in 2016 by former Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA) Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline, more than a year after the pending decision of the matter, which had ended since Monday May 7, 2018. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Word just reaching our newsroom is that the case brought against the then National Democratic Party (NDP) Government in 2016 by former Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA) Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline, after he was denied a contract renewal, has been dismissed.

Today, May 23, 2019, High Court Judge Vicki A. Ellis dismissed the matter, more than a year after the pending decision of the case, which had ended since Monday May 7, 2018.

Background

Mr Skelton-Cline, then a staunch supporter of the NDP Government, was given a two year contract as Managing Director of the BVIPA, from December 2013- December 2015, and it was former Governor, John S. Duncan OBE who announced Cabinet had made a decision not to renew.

Many had argued that the new Tortola Pier Park project, which was built under the guidance of Skelton-Cline, was one of the major contributors to the re-election of the National Democratic Party (NDP) in 2015.

The Ports Board in 2015 had recommended a contract renewal for Mr Skelton-Cline; however, it was reported that he was told by the then Communications and Works Minister, Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) that he should wait until after the June 8, 2015 snap election for Cabinet to act.

Skelton-Cline sued government in 2016

The government and Skelton-Cline were back and forth in court from 2016 after the Pastor, former government consultant and NDP 2011 Second District candidate sued the Government of the Virgin Islands over Cabinet not keeping its word as told to him by Hon Vanterpool, in other words, over legitimate expectation.

Mr Skelton-Cline had won a Judicial Review in 2016 allowing for the case to go forward, because the court found enough evidence that the decision not to renew Mr Skelton-Cline's contract should have been reviewed.

Mr Skelton-Cline still has two more outlets of appeal-  Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court of Appeal and the final Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London, in the United Kingdom. It is; however, unclear at this time what is the next move as our newsroom was unable to make contact with Mr Skelton-Cline prior to publication.

More details to follow.

12 Responses to “Court dismisses case brought against VI Gov’t by Claude O. Skelton-Cline”

  • Award costs (23/05/2019, 13:56) Like (19) Dislike (2) Reply
    Make CSC pay the costs, about $580,000 + $98,000
  • ABC (23/05/2019, 14:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ok then
  • My girl (23/05/2019, 14:07) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    the fat lady has not sing yet
  • NB (23/05/2019, 15:18) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    Awesome news!!
  • still in bed with the NDP (23/05/2019, 16:27) Like (2) Dislike (18) Reply
    He will win on appeal, we cannot get justice with the 2 ladies
  • tretretrete (23/05/2019, 18:11) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    The contract money will make up for it I assume...
  • london (23/05/2019, 18:39) Like (4) Dislike (7) Reply
    Go all the way csc
  • Mr ching (23/05/2019, 19:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Come on who to blame who to everybody looking somebody to blame n.d.p look out it coming ur way
  • Quiet Rebel (23/05/2019, 19:34) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    It was a frivolous law suit anyway. The Cabinet had the right not to renew the contract provided no policies were violated and CSC also had the right not to pursue renewal. Some verbal agreements/contracts are enforceable but this one may not be. CSC was an at will employee. Time to call it in.
  • wize up (23/05/2019, 19:41) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    @Hmmm: hallelujah !!!
  • HAHA (23/05/2019, 21:54) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply

    Good for his A**

  • ta ta (24/05/2019, 00:15) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
    Thank god Claude helped us rid the country of the NDP. In the end, we are all winners for that fact


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