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‘Distaste & Disrespect’ from UK press towards Premier & wife – Skelton-Cline

- calls out newspapers for using first family in narrative that VI is a corrupt state
The photo in question appeared in the UK Times article of January 23, 2020, entitled “British Virgin Islands: cash and cartel trouble in paradise,” in which the Premier and his wife were edited in front of a photo of cocaine found in the historic $250M November drug bust. Photo: The Times UK
Virgin Islands radio talkshow host Claude O. Skelton-Cline has called disrespectful and distasteful the actions of one UK Newspaper who used Premier Andrew A. Fahie and his wife, Mr Sheila E. Forbes-Fahie to pain the county as corrupt. Photo: VINO/File
Virgin Islands radio talkshow host Claude O. Skelton-Cline has called disrespectful and distasteful the actions of one UK Newspaper who used Premier Andrew A. Fahie and his wife, Mr Sheila E. Forbes-Fahie to pain the county as corrupt. Photo: VINO/File
According to Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline, in all of the articles coming out of the UK on the announced Commission of inquiry, the Virgin Islands was painted as a territory that 'reeks' of drug trafficking and money laundering. Photo: VINO/File
According to Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline, in all of the articles coming out of the UK on the announced Commission of inquiry, the Virgin Islands was painted as a territory that 'reeks' of drug trafficking and money laundering. Photo: VINO/File
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI – Virgin Islands radio talkshow host Claude O. Skelton-Cline has called disrespectful and distasteful the actions of one UK Newspaper who used a photo of Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1) and his wife, Mrs Sheila E. Forbes-Fahie, in their continued attempts to paint the territory as corrupt.

The photo in question appeared in the UK Times article of January 23, 2020, entitled “British Virgin Islands: cash and cartel trouble in paradise,” in which the Premier and his wife were edited in front of a photo of cocaine found in the historic $250M November drug bust.

Yellow Journalism – Skelton-Cline

“In that article, it depicts the leader of our country, Hon Andrew A. Fahie and his spouse in front of that drugs that were taken by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force that was captured… and I thought it was in such distaste and disrespect and disregard,” Skelton-Cline said on the Tuesday, January 26, 2020, edition of his show.

“Why would that paper… why would you use the Leader of the country’s spouse in telling your story and have that kind of backdrop… it is that kind of yellow journalism that reeks with sensationalism and therefore paints and frames a picture of the Virgin Islands,” he said.

The man of the cloth further alleged, that in all of the articles coming out of the UK on the announced Commission of inquiry, the VI was painted as a territory that "reeks" of drug trafficking and money laundering.

He accused the CoI Commissioner, the Right Honourable Judge Gary R. Hickinbottom and the former DPP Kim Hollis QC of peddling the same corruption narrative as quoted in articles.

Corruption narrative being peddled

“I'm saying all that to say this is why you and I have to be cognizant have to be conscious, have to to stay woke, that we cannot allow people to frame our story,” Skelton-Cline said in noting that is the same of personal life, family as well as for the country.

“When you have other people determining what is in the frame of your picture and then sells that to the world then that is how the world began to see you and what the world believes about you,” he said.

He further illustrated that Premier Fahie's response to the CoI was never carried in the international press, “framing our story as some corrupt corridor in the Caribbean who are inhabited by persons that just run drugs, can’t explain their wealth and money laundering.”

40 Responses to “‘Distaste & Disrespect’ from UK press towards Premier & wife – Skelton-Cline”

  • cousin (28/01/2021, 17:32) Like (17) Dislike (3) Reply
    SHEILA LOOK UP AND PRAISE GOD GO NOT LET THIS DET TO YOU
  • lol (28/01/2021, 17:45) Like (35) Dislike (8) Reply
    And yet here you are with the same photo. Trying to show your respect
  • UK (28/01/2021, 17:49) Like (54) Dislike (5) Reply
    yes there is corruption in the bvi< cline you can jump high or low and run your mouth as much as you want, it is a fact, but to put the premier and his wife on the front page is unfair.
  • This is it (28/01/2021, 18:13) Like (23) Dislike (1) Reply
    I saw the news article and I was highly turned off by it. I don't know why they would use such a picture.
  • Challenger (28/01/2021, 18:14) Like (21) Dislike (4) Reply
    that is shocking....for once i agree with you mr. clyne
    premier should file a lawsuit against the paper for just the implication of being involved in drugs.

    absoluy shocking
  • sir (28/01/2021, 18:18) Like (5) Dislike (17) Reply
    Do fo do is no obeah.
  • T (28/01/2021, 18:39) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    THATS HOW YOU GET A LOT MORE SALE'S OF YOUR PAPER'S , JUST LIKE ANY HEAD LINE NEWS, PICTRUES ALWAYS SELL.
  • Youth (28/01/2021, 18:51) Like (20) Dislike (31) Reply
    Jaspert is evil
  • Hmmmm (28/01/2021, 18:52) Like (25) Dislike (11) Reply
    I wonder if Augustus Jaspert would like that to be done to his wife and children. Pure worthlessness.
    • @hmmmm (30/01/2021, 06:59) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Didn’t realize Jaspert was in the news business to have that picture posted. However, whomever did use that picture, it was very distasteful but that’s the media. Sensationalism is key for popularity.
  • from buckingham palace (28/01/2021, 19:21) Like (22) Dislike (2) Reply
    When you people let go of the UK?
    Something happened in UK and you are bring it to us in BVI?
    Mrs Fahie,sorry but that is all part of the oath to love your husband.
    Be strong in the Lord,and will be fine.
  • The Real Cartel (28/01/2021, 20:01) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
    Huge cocaine shipment destined for streets of Britain is seized off the coast of Barbados!

    https://www.yahoo.com/news/huge-cocaine-shipment-destined-streets-110018771.html
  • black (28/01/2021, 20:07) Like (10) Dislike (15) Reply
    Guess by now you people really understands the level in which these people would go to disresect us, Sure there is corruption here butthere is corruption in the uk too. They need to clean their house before they clean ours. The real corruption is when they paid Paul Bailey for RDA that extravagant salary $300k but then again its ok cause he is white. Painting our premier and his wife in such a negative way is disresctful not only to the Govefnment but the entire country
  • Joshua (28/01/2021, 20:53) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    Tola is also their house.
  • local boy (28/01/2021, 21:51) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    That UK press media should be sued for slandering and attempting defame our country leader and his family. Look at that photo shop picture. Shameful on you UK times.
    • Yep (29/01/2021, 18:41) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      Agree with local boy above. We beg Mr. Fahie to urgently seek out legal advice in holding this publication accountable. This has the ex governor written all over it.
  • Give and Can’t Take (28/01/2021, 23:33) Like (17) Dislike (6) Reply
    How many articles has the BVI published ridiculing and defaming the Governor and the UK ???!??!!!

    Busy quoting the Bible but don’t know how to turn the other cheek.

    • Thank you! (30/01/2021, 09:15) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      Totally agree. They have tried to destroy his credibility since he became Gov. Now the shoe is on the other foot they get all upset.
  • Well Well (29/01/2021, 02:41) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    So Jaspert controls the print media in the UK?
    He tells them what they should headline
    and how?
    Go and review the past VI media coverages of Jaspert and h and your heads, His wife and son they faced the disrespect daily,inprint and in person.
  • ReX FeRal (29/01/2021, 06:15) Like (11) Dislike (9) Reply

    The white man NEVER had any good intentions for black people. Son of .... will want to see us dead, BUT we are more than sand on the sea shoreshore, we are more than numbers. The UK has more drugs,corruption, vice and murderous folks than the VI.

  • People (29/01/2021, 08:23) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    PEOPLE OF THE BVI IT IS SAD TGAT NRS FAHIE PICTURE WAS UED IN THIS NONSENSE PEOPLE USE YIUR HEAD AND COMMON SENST THIS INQURY IS NOT AGTER THE VIP IT IS AFTER THE NDP YOI WILL SOON HEAR THE BRIGA DAN THE VUP GOVERBNEBT IS VEIBG USE AS A SCAPE GOAT DR SMITH AND THE REST MEMBERS OF THE NDP TIS HEKK TO OLAY MARLON PENN NEED TO SHUT HIS TRAP BECAUSE HE DOING AND SAYING THINGS TO BRINGVIP DOWN BUT HE DOES NOT KNOW WHAY ENGLAND KNOW SO HE ETTER WALK CAREFULLY. NARLOB SHUT UP YOU ARE LESDING A LONG TRAIL TO THE INFORMATION ONLY WHO KNOW KNOW REMEMBER YOU LIVE HERE STOP PROT BECAUSE
    PROTTING MIGHT COST YOU. MAKE SURE YOUR BAF ARE PACKED FOR DEPATURE AND ARRIVAL THE PLANE SOON COME THE 7 MILLON JET PLANE REV REV REV STOP TALKING AGAIST THE GOVERNMENT AT THIS TIME BECAUSE YOU MARLOM MYRON AND MARK MIGHT BE ON THE FIRST FLIGHT
    • Checkmate (29/01/2021, 11:00) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      The NDP investigation was completed moons ago and findings handed over to Police ...based on my understanding of comments made by the former Gov and previous media reports. This CoI is a direct hit on VIP and apparently there is hard evidence.
    • WHAT!!! (29/01/2021, 12:01) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      “People”. please use spell check, you may have something interesting to say but your post is unintelligible.
  • agreed (29/01/2021, 08:46) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Tis distasteful. So are some of the cartoons on this site. It's news. That's how it works. Do something that creates news and it will be out there for all to see. Distasteful, maybe sometimes. Agreed.
  • chosen (29/01/2021, 12:01) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    The whole world is watching and listening to you all in this little place how you all are treating other islands and bvi is an island also
    • @chosen (29/01/2021, 15:50) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
      The reason why so many people from various places come to the BVI is because they cannot make it in their country. They come here and they get an opportunity to help themselves and family back home but yet they are so ungreatful they keeo on complaini ng never happy. Seems like you all want the whole country given to you so you can be happy. You do not call down your country that deprive you so badly you just quietly leave but you crying bloody murder on a country that give you the opportuniy you did not get in your own country. Is this an illness or what?
  • chosen (29/01/2021, 17:23) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    The truth hurts no weapon forms against us shall prosper
    • @chosen (29/01/2021, 18:44) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      Obviously you are the one who is not prospering that is why you are so bitter.
  • Greatful (29/01/2021, 18:34) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    I am an Expat and I am greatful to the BVI for accepting me and my family. What I have achieved since I moved to the BVI I could not have if I stayed in my country. Many BV Islanders have helped me along the way. I cannot say it clearer the BVI HAS BEEN GOOD TO ME.
  • Fear not (29/01/2021, 18:48) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is a beautiful picture of our Premier and first lady. Be strong in the Lord.. We shall fear no evil for God is with us.
  • How does that saying go? (30/01/2021, 09:17) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    "Be careful what you wish for"... before you really wake that monster and they stick their foot up your a$$.
  • rewrsdffds (30/01/2021, 09:45) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well, the same thing was done when Governor Jaspert was displayed kneeling in the government's neck. Why is it so bad now?
  • Wait (30/01/2021, 10:06) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    You say: “framing our story as some corrupt corridor in the Caribbean who are inhabited by persons that just run drugs, can’t explain their wealth and money laundering.”
    But we ARE a corrupt territory. We are Caribbean. We don’t JUST run drugs but we are important enough for 2.5tons to be found here, which means billions of $$ of the stuff comes through here. Many big man BVIslanders CANNOT explain their wealth without admitting some involvement in the above. Money laundering? Same thing: so many examples uncovered gives us an indication of how many go undiscovered.
    And your defense is that none of the accusations are true?
    So ... race trumps reality, mr man of the cloth?
  • Wait (30/01/2021, 10:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    You say: “framing our story as some corrupt corridor in the Caribbean who are inhabited by persons that just run drugs, can’t explain their wealth and money laundering.”
    But we ARE a corrupt territory. We are Caribbean. We don’t JUST run drugs but we are important enough for 2.5tons to be found here, which means billions of $$ of the stuff comes through here. Many big man BVIslanders CANNOT explain their wealth without admitting some involvement in the above. Money laundering? Same thing: so many examples uncovered gives us an indication of how many go undiscovered.
    And your defense is that none of the accusations are true?
    So ... race trumps reality, mr man of the cloth?
  • ausar (30/01/2021, 11:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    What a beautiful picture of our First Lady, Mrs. Fahie!

    It is sad that it was used for such an occassion as this.

    There are many cases of corruption in the Kingdom detailed quite effectively in the news, and I dont remember ever seeing Queen Elizabeth and the Mountbatten- Windsors, juxtaposed to any of them!

    But as with everything that happens in the Kingdom, this parallels the level of discrimanatory practices that has plagued that country towards its Black citizens for centuries!

    This is just the beginning!

    We should expect much more to come, since the Brexit debacle!
  • Come on CSC (08/03/2022, 11:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sit down CSC. You are either involved in it or enabling it. Either way, just sit down. Spend time with your family and be a real man of the cloth! Be a good person, rather than whatever you are trying to do now.


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