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Governors' rejection of PSC recommendations a 'red flag'- Skelton-Cline

- Hon Rymer supports calls for constitutional reform to address encroachment
ZBVI Radio Host, Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline and along with Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Hon Kye M. Rymer during the September 10, 2019, edition of 'Honestly Speaking'. Photo: Facebook
Governor of the Virgin Islands, His Excellency, Mr Augustus J. U. Jaspert. Photo: GIS/File
Governor of the Virgin Islands, His Excellency, Mr Augustus J. U. Jaspert. Photo: GIS/File
Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has termed the unprecedented move by the Governor regarding placement of Permanent Secretaries as an insult to self-reliance, self-determination, modern partnership, mutual respect and the democratic future of the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has termed the unprecedented move by the Governor regarding placement of Permanent Secretaries as an insult to self-reliance, self-determination, modern partnership, mutual respect and the democratic future of the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI - ZBVI ‘Honestly Speaking’ radio host, Mr Claude O. Skeltopn-Cline has called ‘unprecedented’ the move by Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert to reject the Public Service Commission (PSC) recommendations for Permanent Secretaries and taking his own subjective approach to the appointments.

Mr Skelton-Cline was at the time speaking on the Tuesday, September 10, 2019, edition of his show on public radio with guest, Hon Kye M. Rymer, Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities and Fifth District Representative.

“It was unprecedented in the history if this BVI, under our constitutional democracy, that the sitting Governor would usurp the authority of the Public Service Commission and on his own subjectivity decide where PS’s will go,” he said.

According to Skelton-Cline, “it is this kind of behaviour, this kind of conduct that we must push back and put on record that we are against.”

Constitutional Reform 

Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) in a September 2, 2019, statement said that while he had no problem with the Governor leaning on his own discretion – “I see his action as an insult to self-reliance, self-determination, modern partnership, mutual respect and the democratic future of the BVI.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Mr Skelton-Cline said, “It’s an encroachment on the constitution, it is an encroachment on the practice and precedent; which the UK goes by because they don’t have a constitution, that ministers should have their preference relative to PS’s."

Guest Hon Rymer said that while the Governor has his rights, ultimately, constitutional reform will address the issue of encroachment.

“When we see this kind of stuff, when we see this kind of behaviour, moving from one sector to the next, from one issue to another, the red flags must be raised,” Skelton-Cline told the listening audience.

10 Responses to “Governors' rejection of PSC recommendations a 'red flag'- Skelton-Cline”

  • Alarming (13/09/2019, 10:51) Like (6) Dislike (26) Reply
    Skelton-Cline is on point here, however, the opposition seem to be bent on keeping the Country in bondage.
  • Honestly Speaking (13/09/2019, 10:55) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    Could we get some of the names that were put forward and then rejected.
  • "Words" don't "lie" but they "Deceive" (13/09/2019, 11:29) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    Mr. Cline is asserting that legislators have control and oversight of the civil service and they don't. I am not sure I want to belive under our constitution the Governor is the Head/Chair of the PSC. So how can he usurp himself?
  • wet (13/09/2019, 14:55) Like (12) Dislike (23) Reply
    The governor must go he is like fedel
  • Skelton Cline (13/09/2019, 15:31) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Acting as he is Premier is even more strange.....
  • massa (13/09/2019, 16:13) Like (2) Dislike (9) Reply
    Just a couple years ago that same UK was holding black people as slaves now they suddenly have our interest at heart? ok
  • simple (14/09/2019, 04:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Amend the Constitution, that's all. We are GREAT negotiators so I am sure the UK will understand and agree to our recommendations for changes. SMDH (sigh)
  • cnn (14/09/2019, 10:29) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    Gus is bad news
  • Quiet Warrior (14/09/2019, 10:39) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    Though the governor’s action may have been unprecedented, eye opening and disrespectful, it was permitted under the constitution’s reserve powers. His action was an overreach, misuse and abuse of the reserve powers. The Governor’s action is a bright red, flashing red beacon that the UK is up to no good. Its house is a blaze with Brexit ( a disguise for xenophobia, racism......etc) but it’s worried about the BVI stove burner turn up a little high.

    Under the 2007 constitution, the civil service falls under the purview of Governor. The current process is a dysfunctional and ineffective and needs to be change now. The civil service must be under local control. It is insulting to erroneously conclude that the local government is incapable of effectively managing the civil service. This conclusion is an old dog whistle that people of African descent lacked the skill, talent, intellect.....etc to lead and manage organizations. Some of us feed the nonsense that if you Black get back, if you Brown stick around and if you White you are right. We subscribe to the Massa knows best mentality. Moreover, we invite people to disrespect us, placing us on a lower intellectual level. Stop it!


    Let us change the damn constitution and put civil service under local control; we should not give a rat’s ass what other OTs are doing in this instance. The VI is listed as self governing but that is a mirage. The VI needs more autonomy, eg, civil service.....etc. The Governor has overstayed his welcome in the BVI. Is he a snake in the grass, a wolf in sheep clothing, a chameleon.....?
  • Cut the bull (14/09/2019, 22:13) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    This governor and his team of locals and expats was hard at work around the clock two years ago when our government was ineffectual but worse, getting in the way of help. I don’t know who is pulling the wool over your eyes but th uk’s only concern is the BVI is being run well and running itself, including financially. The rest is absolutely rubbish, racism and xenophobia of the trumpish kind. The only thing that holds BVI back is four or five decades of successive looting by the few in power.


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