Skelton-Cline vs NDP Gov’t starts behind closed doors
The matter, which was continuing at the time of publication of this story, is being heard in-camera.
Mr Skelton-Cline, who oversaw the expansion of the cruise pier and landside development during his tenure at the BVIPA, is seeking Leave for a Judicial Review (JD) on his non-renewal of contract as Managing Director (MD) of the BVI Ports Authority. His attorneys are Monique Peters from the law firm of Hunte & Co, and Jamaican Attorney Tana’ania Small-Davis.
The former Managing Director had his first day in court on March 15, 2016, when he had his Attorneys amend the case file from just ‘versus the Attorney General’ to having each of the five Ministers of Government, as well as Governor John S. Duncan OBE and Attorney General Baba Aziz, be party to the lawsuit.
Mr Skelton-Cline, during a live press conference on CBN Channel 51 on April 12, 2016 said he wanted two things – his good name back and his “reasonable expectations” to be fulfilled as a former National Democratic Party (NDP) “soldier”, and hence his move to the courts seeking redress for his contract not being renewed.
Background
Mr Skelton-Cline contested the 2011 general elections with the National Democratic Party in District Two. He lost to former legislator J. Alvin Christopher in a four-way race. Mr Christopher received 423 votes to Skelton-Cline’s 339.
Following his election defeat, Mr Skelton-Cline was hired on a close to $100,000 a year contract as a consultant with the Ministry of Communications and Works where he had special over-sight of the NDP Administration’s plan to expand the cruise ship pier.
In 2013 he was appointed Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority on a three-year contract that ended last year December 2015. According to an NDP source, he requested a renewal before the June 8, 2015 general elections after the BVIPA Board had already advanced an early recommendation for such a renewal.
However, he was reportedly told by Communications and Works Minister Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) and reportedly other Cabinet Ministers to wait until after the 2015 elections.
Meanwhile, before the live press conference on April 12, 2016, United Kingdom appointed Governor John S. Duncan OBE told local radio station Reporter Zan Lewis that “Mr Skelton-Cline’s contract was rejected by Cabinet therefore not renewed.”
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