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Skelton-Cline suspects ulterior motives behind press conference by Governor & CoP

- says he suspects the intention was to raise an alarm for the UK to 'step in'
‘Honestly Speaking’ Radio Moderator, Claude O. Skelton-Cline says he suspects ulterior motives are surrounding the press conference hosted by Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert and Commissioner of Police, Michael B. Matthews, over the record-breaking $250M drug bust in Balsam Ghut, Tortola, Friday, November 6, 2020. Photo: VINO/File
Skelton-Cline also called suspicious, the zealousness of UK media reports on the Press Conference, including access to photos by the RVIPF to 'The Sun', that was not immediately provided to the local media in the Virgin Islands. Photo: Facebook/JTV
Skelton-Cline also called suspicious, the zealousness of UK media reports on the Press Conference, including access to photos by the RVIPF to 'The Sun', that was not immediately provided to the local media in the Virgin Islands. Photo: Facebook/JTV
The United Kingdom (UK) stepping in to manage the borders of the territory would be seen by some as an insult to the VI as it seeks to push an agenda of self-determination. Photo: VINO/File
The United Kingdom (UK) stepping in to manage the borders of the territory would be seen by some as an insult to the VI as it seeks to push an agenda of self-determination. Photo: VINO/File
Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1), in a leaked letter to Baroness Elizabeth G. Sugg, CBE, the Minister for Sustainable Development and the Overseas Territories, in September 2020, said Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert had proceeded to present a paper in a National Security Council meeting 'which exaggerated the needs of the VI to paint a fabricated, inaccurate and misleading picture of the state of affairs and capabilities of the Territory to justify UK interventions, including military involvement, beyond the scope of what was requested by the Territorial Government.' Photo: VINO/File
Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1), in a leaked letter to Baroness Elizabeth G. Sugg, CBE, the Minister for Sustainable Development and the Overseas Territories, in September 2020, said Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert had proceeded to present a paper in a National Security Council meeting 'which exaggerated the needs of the VI to paint a fabricated, inaccurate and misleading picture of the state of affairs and capabilities of the Territory to justify UK interventions, including military involvement, beyond the scope of what was requested by the Territorial Government.' Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - ‘Honestly Speaking’ radio show moderator, Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline says he suspects ulterior motives are surrounding the press conference hosted by Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert and Commissioner of Police, Michael B. Matthews, over the record-breaking $250M drug bust in Balsam Ghut, Tortola, on Friday, November 6, 2020.

A total of 2,353 kilos of cocaine was found in a container unit, a three-yard truck and a Ford Explorer jeep, all situated on the Balsam Ghut, property, according to police.

“I found it curious that Governor Jaspert and Police Commissioner Matthews came to us… to tell us in essence, that there is corruption in their ranks,” Skelton-Cline said in an interview with Cathy O. Richards on the Wednesday, November 11, 2020 edition of JTV’s The Big Story.

RVIPF Corruption 

At the November 10, 2020, press conference, it was announced by the Commissioner that a serving officer of the RVIPF, Mr Darren Davis, 41, was implicated in the bust and, according to the man of the cloth, with both UK reps being ultimately responsible for law enforcement, he said there is now a major breach of public trust.

“This was not a customs officer, this was not immigration, this is the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force for which they are both responsible and so the magnitude and the scope of it, given that context, is not at all surprising,” Skelton-Cline said.

“To move that kind of product, the way those things what they look like and how their package looks like, it's a drop, it isn’t no quick fast boat that's going to pick up those things… so this is a major vessel of some sort that will be able to move that product,” he said.  

Ultimately, he said, the word on the street is that you cannot move the product without law enforcement being involved. This he says highlights major corruption that needs to be investigated.

UK media coverage

Skelton-Cline called suspicious, the zealousness of UK media reports on the Press Conference, including access to photos by the RVIPF to 'The Sun', that was not immediately provided to the local media in the Virgin Islands.

“The second thing I found curious about [the] press conference [is that] not only did they come to tell us that there's corruption in their ranks, but then immediately we saw it being headlined in the newspapers in the United Kingdom, which in and of itself also raises a red flag in my spirit,” he said.

An opportunity for UK to step in?

Skelton-Cline said the article sought to put pressure on the UK Ministers to tackle the drug trade in the region, which has a connection to border control in the VI and further opens a door for the UK to step in.

The UK stepping in to manage the borders of the territory would be seen by some as an insult to the VI as it seeks to push an agenda of self-determination.

The Virgin Islands has previously said it wishes to purchase and implement its own border surveillance system, with technical assistance from the UK and believes that the VI must be able to effectively manage its own affairs into the future with minimum assistance from the UK.

Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1), in a leaked letter to Baroness Elizabeth G. Sugg, CBE, the Minister for Sustainable Development and the Overseas Territories, in September 2020, said while the VI had requested assistance from the UK in the form of maritime surveillance support for a 3-month-period to complement the existing sea border protection strategy while a permanent border surveillance system is procured and installed by the VI, Governor Jaspert had proceeded to present a paper in a National Security Council meeting "which exaggerated the needs of the VI to paint a fabricated, inaccurate and misleading picture of the state of affairs and capabilities of the Territory to justify UK interventions, including military involvement, beyond the scope of what was requested by the Territorial Government."

54 Responses to “Skelton-Cline suspects ulterior motives behind press conference by Governor & CoP”

  • facts (12/11/2020, 13:35) Like (13) Dislike (76) Reply
    I agree with him both of them are up to no good
    • Your time is up (12/11/2020, 17:53) Like (47) Dislike (3) Reply
      The only people who will find something wrong with the Governor's actions are people who turn a blind eye to criminal activities/drug smuggling or people who actually have involvement in said activities. LOL, I'M GLAD the Governor is aware of y all dirty ways
      • Reply (13/11/2020, 03:32) Like (5) Dislike (15) Reply

        Claude is right those ev** man never held a press conference when we had two murder in two weeks

  • Man Cline (12/11/2020, 13:41) Like (58) Dislike (2) Reply
    Shut the heck up already. Are you running scared or what?
  • Tan I am (12/11/2020, 13:57) Like (97) Dislike (1) Reply
    What is glaringly suspicious, before during and leading up to this record haul, is the
    resistance by our Elected to
    additional and full border protection and the scandalous attempts to discredit the Governor .
    • Nerd too (12/11/2020, 16:03) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
      I just clicked on "Like," it immediately showed 20???
    • Tan I am (12/11/2020, 17:05) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      THERE YOU HAVE IT!!!!!!!!
      • @ tan I am (13/11/2020, 03:33) Like (2) Dislike (11) Reply
        Black Lives Matter we people must continue to fight these racists
        • @@ tan I am (13/11/2020, 08:36) Like (1) Dislike (13) Reply
          Your silence and blind eyes to the ongoing genocide of the Haitians by the dingos says otherwise,
          Opening your gates with glee to the perpetrators of genocide against Black Haitians says plenty about your sincerity.
  • PT009 (12/11/2020, 13:57) Like (91) Dislike (4) Reply
    Mr. Claude O. Skelton-Cline You need to shut your BIG MOUTH and find a seat and just shut up it seems like you are getting paid to cause trouble. You call yourself a man of the cloth I don’t think the cloth has anything to do with God. A lot of people use god’s name to get what they want, you are a trouble maker we don’t need your kind now or ever. SHUT UP
  • Lucifer (12/11/2020, 14:05) Like (73) Dislike (1) Reply
    and trying to get the UK to help restrict the drug trade here is a bad thing because? Interesting that the two individuals actually involved in the corruption and drug dealing were belongers yet Claude wants to shift focus onto the Governor and COP. Maybe the police force would have an easier time if people like Mr. Skelton came forward with information about criminals rather than trying to court favour with those same criminals holding gangster summits. I suspect if no press conference had been held the Governor and COP would be getting criticism for trying to cover up what had happened. Its a no win situation. The seizure of 2.5 tonnes of cocaine is something that should be celebrated although the question should now be who else on these islands is involved...
  • tretretrete (12/11/2020, 14:13) Like (8) Dislike (53) Reply
    Claude may actually be on to something here!
    • @hmmm (12/11/2020, 16:35) Like (27) Dislike (0) Reply
      On to what? Trying to save himself from what is about to come crashing down? Every last one of you that is involved in the CORRUPTION AND OTHER ILLICIT THINGS THAT IS GOING ON IN THE BVI NEED TO START GETTING YOUR AFAIRS IN ORDER BECAUSE ALL OF YOU IS GETTING READY TO GO DOWN. THE BIG DRUG AND MONEY RAID WAS THE TIP OF THE MELTING ICEBERG.
  • is this (12/11/2020, 14:15) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
    another conspiracy theory?
  • Really (12/11/2020, 14:44) Like (21) Dislike (1) Reply
    when will the Premier stop letting this idiot from waging a war he can not win? as far as I see it he only making the
    Governor heart get harder.
  • Chrome- (12/11/2020, 14:59) Like (4) Dislike (17) Reply
    Why do u people think the UK so perfect they're full of corruption there too
  • priest (12/11/2020, 15:02) Like (33) Dislike (0) Reply
    As a Law abiding Citizen of this territory I welcomed the news of this so called historic drug burst. I was rather ashamed that a member of the local Police Force is allegedly involved in the commission of such serious crime. This would of course draw unwanted attention to these beautiful shores. Lets not bury our heads in the sand, it is well known that these Islands are being used as a trans shipment point for drug barons to move their drugs from South America with connection to the USA and Europe and that some people in certain positions are allegedly assisting this transaction. It does not matter who prevent criminals to plying their trade within the Territory Immigration, Customs or the Police the people of this Territory should be the beneficiaries since violent crimes are often linked to the drug trade. Every Law abiding Citizen should celebrate their success. What bothered me though is the silence from some quarters and the effort to Politicalize the matter. Any other country would have held a Press Conference it is normal. it does not matter to me if Customs or any one else was there. By the way the UK is already here seen and unseen. It has been playing a major role in our Police Force for years. This is a small place and we know everyone in this Territory. We know where they work or not. We know what they do for a living and so does the UK. A crime was committed. Persons who were allegedly connected to it were arrested (and it is my gut feeling more arrests will follow) Politics and Law should be seated in the same aisle. I wish to thank the men and women who work day and night to protect the borders of these Virgin Islands from all forms of illegal activities.
  • Xxx (12/11/2020, 15:15) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    a racist will never she they are a racist
  • NezRez (12/11/2020, 15:18) Like (28) Dislike (0) Reply
    There has to be much bigger fish to fry than these two brothers. There has to be people in the high ranks that is controlling this, and the brothers may have been the faces out front to make the connections. How else would they be so brazen and feel so comfortable doing this by themselves? I know there are always higher ups involved. I'll just sit back and wait to see what official has been leading the pack. Coming soon at a theater near you.
    • @Nez Rez (12/11/2020, 20:38) Like (38) Dislike (2) Reply
      That is why the STUPID BROTHERS SHOULD CALL NAMES. THEY WERE IDIOTS TO ALLOW THEMSELVES TO BE THE SCAPE GOATS.
    • Rubber Duck (13/11/2020, 06:30) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      I think we all know where the high rot is. Check out the civil servants with multiple houses.
  • kkk (12/11/2020, 16:33) Like (3) Dislike (48) Reply
    I do not trust the governor and police commissioner two peas in a pot
  • Heckler (12/11/2020, 16:35) Like (37) Dislike (0) Reply
    The ulterior motive is to actually catch the criminals. Bravo Guv keep up the good work. Time to catch some big fishes and whales now.
  • bvi (12/11/2020, 16:49) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    Claude is fighting hard for independence.that's what he want.
    • money (13/11/2020, 06:31) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Is what he wants. Shearing the stupid sheep who pay any attention to him.
  • Attention Seeker (12/11/2020, 17:04) Like (39) Dislike (0) Reply
    The more this man regurgitate garbage from his mouth the more we see the the real person behind his mask.
  • gear (12/11/2020, 17:35) Like (28) Dislike (0) Reply
    I hope that man is not paid with taxpayers money to stir up confusion in this territory. His behavior does not fit a man of the cloth. We know some people use that to get followers. He needs to shut up for he will run to America after stirring up trouble here.
    • Hate with passion (12/11/2020, 19:06) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
      The Governor is just doing his Job as the constitution authorized,,,,, Stop it,,,,,, Why this much hate from this individual to the Governor,,,,,,, It almost seems to be prsonal,,,,, Maybe the governor need to say whats the issue with him and this gentleman
    • @ gear (12/11/2020, 19:51) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
      Every time he show up on the pulpit it’s a mockery.

      He need to learn what the greatest Commandment is and what the Seven Fruits of the Spirit are from holding the devil’s hand while up on the pulpit blaspheming.
  • Informed (12/11/2020, 17:47) Like (53) Dislike (0) Reply
    I think the Governor has done his job to the letter. Protect the Laws and country. He offered help and it was refused. He brought in the Navy ship to protect the people from COVID with illegal entry. This is his job and he has done it well.
    Possible we should be thanking him for keeping our people safe from COVID and this Drug Trade. The sons of the Tortola are dying in the streets for this illegal business. So please understand and say thank you.
  • Yes correct (12/11/2020, 18:12) Like (5) Dislike (45) Reply

    Gus & his side kick Maverick Mick are clearly incompetent else such items would never have been allowed in in the first place if they’d been doing their jobs correctly for the past few years!! Instead they just take selfies and brag about their lavish lifestyles and holidays at our expense!

    Completely disingenuous and suspect timing right before they’re being kicked out of here.

    Just leave already!! You’re not welcome here & we know your true hearts are rac**t.

  • He is a rac**t (12/11/2020, 18:14) Like (4) Dislike (29) Reply

    This governor must go!!

  • wow ! (12/11/2020, 18:39) Like (18) Dislike (2) Reply
    of course....! i mean our borders are SO well protected...it was only 2 1/2 tons and assult rifle..hand guns which managed to slip through undetected........who needs outside help.

    laughing stick Mr. Cline...laughing stock
  • sense (12/11/2020, 18:58) Like (32) Dislike (2) Reply
    Good to see that lots of people are waking up to what is happening here. Those with bad intentions have definitely been trying to discredit the Governor and now we see why!!
    • Fastboat (12/11/2020, 21:40) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      How did all of this stuff reach our shores? When i saw the nets it made me wonder how, where and when. We have some real skilful fellows around here, as we could see. How is it that whenever there is a buss,somebody is always quick to report a stolen boat or car, but they syill have their keys and no tamperring done. That needs a hip hip hip hooray.
  • Hmm (12/11/2020, 19:16) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Lawd them gone with the lowest men in the food chain
  • expatriate (12/11/2020, 21:16) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    I can bet politicians are involved even so called big wigs who run construction company and deal motor vehicles are apart of it
  • Kemp (12/11/2020, 21:34) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    Mr. Gus please please bring the independent investigators to investigate these radio host , police,customs, immigration officers, pastors and politicians . One bottle of whiskey for you sir.
  • pat (13/11/2020, 03:30) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply

    Two w**** man never good news for b***** people

  • 911 (13/11/2020, 03:44) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
    Both of them just need a kkk hoodie
  • guy hill (13/11/2020, 05:26) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Virgin Islands law enforcement community needs to develop a culture where the corrupt officer fears the incorruptible officer and not the other wa around. I'll just rest this here. Be Brave.
  • Reality check (13/11/2020, 05:30) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    The problem is curption that main rooted evil not such drug for it because curption drug injustice human smuggling. Poverty etc ...even colonialism injustice of oppression is still existence.....CURUPTION let irradiated it out and for ever eliminate all illnesses of humanity
  • Pablo (13/11/2020, 05:49) Like (4) Dislike (6) Reply
    U cant stop this game the demand is too much....so guess wah cash or lead. ..the uk Europe usa all in one running this shit in there high places. ....and these two fools trying to expose who ...
  • I smell a rat (13/11/2020, 07:02) Like (5) Dislike (14) Reply
    We need both gus and Mathews audited before they leave
  • Blak Alucard (13/11/2020, 08:21) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    MOTIVE? LOL wait until Gov bring the "UNEXPLAINED WEALTH ORDER" you all screwed big time B.
  • shark (13/11/2020, 08:39) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
    Who’s
    Looking into the drug pandemic that is wrecking havoc across the uk and Wales no one talk about that.there is a big drug problem in the U.k read the news,but yet they want to control the BVI and they cannot control the U.K drug problem.
  • qc (13/11/2020, 09:04) Like (5) Dislike (26) Reply
    We the people agree with Claude
  • Food for thought (13/11/2020, 12:01) Like (2) Dislike (6) Reply
    People of the BVI the Governor is head in charge of the Police department and the chief of police is operating manager so the Governor and chief of police failed in their jobs it all happened under their watch so they both should go
  • asking for a friend (13/11/2020, 13:25) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    Who is watching the police chief and gus?
  • Devonee (14/11/2020, 00:03) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    This man crazy and/or a substance. Lok how he mouth always likcing
  • What? (14/11/2020, 13:29) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    So taken a boatload of drugs and illegal weapons off the streets is suspicious? That statement is suspicious!
  • Sad (14/11/2020, 21:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Honestly, this. News is no different from hearing that a very good friend has passed away, to the negative bloggers, please have some sympathy......


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