Skelton-Cline snubbed; No contract renewal –Governor John S. Duncan OBE
Governor Duncan, who many observers concluded has become very unpopular, has zero credibility on the matter of good governance, while residents, talk show hosts, civil society and the media have already called for him to be recalled and is now a controversial figure in Virgin Islands politics, injected himself into the matter even before Skelton-Cline had started his ‘9%’ live press briefing.
Hours before the Skelton-Cline Press Conference, the controversial UK senior civil servant Duncan told local radio station Reporter Zan Lewis that “Mr Skelton-Cline’s contract was rejected by Cabinet therefore not renewed.”
Cabinet decisions are no longer private?
It is unclear why Mr Duncan was speaking on this and bringing information from Cabinet to the public when the Premier is the one most often who advises the public when required on Cabinet decisions, especially internal and domestic matters.
Many have used this as yet another example that demonstrates Premier of the Virgin Islands Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith is not in control of his government and lack leadership skills, something many have concluded since the 2011 elections.
Another controversial Minister of Government, Myron V. Walwyn also took private information from the Cabinet to the House of Assembly over the nomination by the Opposition Leader Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) to the Public Service Commission, something shared with Cabinet under other business. The Leader of the Opposition was doing his job under Section 91 of the constitution.
Inside the Cabinet decision
Speaking two days ago to our newsroom’s senior National Democratic Party (NDP) sources on the matter, they confirmed that the Cabinet decision was only made on April 6, 2016 after the matter had divided the Cabinet. It is our understanding that senior Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Ronnie W. Skelton and Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr The Hon Kedrick D. Pickering (R7) are both strongly in support of the contract renewal.
The Cabinet was unable to address the matter because there was no consensus (meaning all members did not support the non-renewal) although in the Westminster System of Government Cabinet Decisions are usually unanimous.
Our sources also advised this news site that Hon Ronnie W. Skelton, the uncle of Skelton-Cline, recused himself from the Cabinet decision and left the April 6, 2016 meeting.
Therefore, the decision would have come after the court challenge by Skelton-Cline seeking a Judicial Review (JR) on the process to not renew his contract.
When our newsroom called our senior NDP source this morning, April 18, 2016, we were told that to date Skelton-Cline had not allegedly received anything in writing from either the Government or the BVI Ports Authority Board. However, Mr Skelton-Cline could not be reached for comment, as its believed he is overseas, notwithstanding the Governor has already announced the decision via radio.
It is also our newsroom’s understanding that the Cabinet Members still have not responded to the directive of the High Court on the legal Judicial Review matter again because there is no consensus over how to proceed, as the Cabinet remains deeply divided.
Our newsroom will keep following this saga, as the showdown continues between Mr Skelton-Cline and a divided Cabinet over his contract non-renewal, which was announced by Governor Duncan.
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24 Responses to “Skelton-Cline snubbed; No contract renewal –Governor John S. Duncan OBE”
Basic HR 101.
It's simple! Governor and NDP, you are not above the law. You are lawless...Giants do fall!