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Skelton-Cline vs NDP Gov’t starts behind closed doors

- over his snubbing as Managing Director of BVI Ports Authority
The court case between former Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA), Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline (left) and the National Democratic Party Government of Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith (right) began today, June 29, 2016 in the Commercial Court of the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
From left: Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr The Hon Kedrick D. Pickering (R7), Health Minister Hon Ronnie W. Skelton and Governor John S. Duncan OBE have all been sued by Claude O. Skelton-Cline over his renewal of contract as Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA). Photo: VINO/File
From left: Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr The Hon Kedrick D. Pickering (R7), Health Minister Hon Ronnie W. Skelton and Governor John S. Duncan OBE have all been sued by Claude O. Skelton-Cline over his renewal of contract as Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA). Photo: VINO/File
From left: Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn, Minister for Communications and Works Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4), and Attorney General Baba Aziz, whose names appear on the lawsuit filed by attorneys for former BVIPA Managing Director, Claude O. Skelton-Cline. Photo: VINO/File
From left: Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn, Minister for Communications and Works Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4), and Attorney General Baba Aziz, whose names appear on the lawsuit filed by attorneys for former BVIPA Managing Director, Claude O. Skelton-Cline. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The court case between former Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA), Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline and the National Democratic Party Government of Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith began today, June 29, 2016 in the Commercial Court of the Virgin Islands.

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.”

35 Responses to “Skelton-Cline vs NDP Gov’t starts behind closed doors”

  • well sah, (29/06/2016, 17:10) Like (25) Dislike (0) Reply
    Tings start...NDP vs NDP, how confusing can this get...or....?
    • HMPH (aka "Socal Comantar") (01/07/2016, 13:14) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      evens o ndp if person spendin $35 mils mo dan budget it be a problam and somtin ned o be dun.
  • ndp (29/06/2016, 17:13) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ciivil war
  • facts man (29/06/2016, 17:34) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lying duncan done say its not renew
  • wize up (29/06/2016, 18:16) Like (6) Dislike (11) Reply
    all gloves have to off and no holds bared.....just a low-down dirty street fight & may the best man win....I personally backing cline
  • Yes (29/06/2016, 19:39) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    will we be getting the rest of the percentage (%) now?
  • the bible says (29/06/2016, 19:41) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    that in the last days brothers will be fighting against brother...NDP time soon up.
  • back door deal (29/06/2016, 19:42) Like (24) Dislike (0) Reply
    What's in the darkness must come to light.
  • wize up (29/06/2016, 20:28) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply
    7 against 1..this should be fun(live press conference coming soon!!!!!)
    • voter (01/07/2016, 14:50) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      That's what you call a gangbang or train. Dude stands no chance with his reasonable expectation bullcrap. Contract done = money done = job done.. period.
  • THE CONTRACTOR (29/06/2016, 20:31) Like (20) Dislike (3) Reply
    Why all this secrecy around this case? When the courts can be influenced by politicians in this manner we are obviously on a downward spiral the consequences of which should not be under estimated. This should be of concern to one and all.
  • VG (29/06/2016, 20:58) Like (28) Dislike (0) Reply
    Nothing start yet wait a next few months and see where the NDP BVI investment club leaders send our dear country in bankruptcy from wanting to force NHI on us. I hope my people realize Skelton is now letting you know of the 81 million dollars in claims they will have for the first year. Look out Januay morning there will higher taxes on food etc. let's get these selfish people out. Let's tale the street. We are not going allow this vi to become a third world country. Cline matter is simple compare to NHI.
    • Revelations (29/06/2016, 22:26) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
      I have been warning them for sometime now so they should be ready for the SHOCK!
  • SIDELINE (29/06/2016, 22:06) Like (6) Dislike (16) Reply
    why he have a jamacian lawyer does he have a work permit? why not use belonger?
    • wize up (29/06/2016, 22:26) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
      @ sideline: why don't you supply then pay for a belongers lawyer for him if that is your concern....that should hold you!!!!!
    • 411 (30/06/2016, 07:56) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
      Das your business? He has the right to hire whoever he wants to represent him. Regardless of where they from. Who tells you where to spend your money and what to spend it on? Shut your trap..
  • bvi (29/06/2016, 23:09) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    I think the man chose who ever he wanted nothing wrong with that ...stop wonder why he chose a jamaican laywer worry about this NDP an its government bribging this counrty down the hill side while there pockets been full with money an people out there is suffering ..NDP is only for white people




    • wize up (30/06/2016, 06:57) Like (11) Dislike (4) Reply
      @ BVI: hallelujah and I must agree with you because some of us only seeing who from barbados, who from Jamaica, who from Nevis , who from Antigua while the whiites and the Philippines quickly take over this territory. I never though that I will live to see the day when the political leader of the territory will stoop so low and continue handing out the BVI to their political supporters and them white affiliates: our children is going to suffer in their own country but I am going to keep the faith come hell or high water
  • Bernie Sanders (30/06/2016, 02:15) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why Cline don't go sit down Government even can't buy toilet paper and he looking 4 million dollars for settlement..Cline is a mad man from IRAQ,all i can say LORD SAVE the Gracious Corrupt NDP..
  • Ques (30/06/2016, 03:51) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why the commercial court? The premier must be accountable to the people and let us know what was spent and how it was spent on projects under the works ministry. This ports thing is a disgrace. What example are we setting for our young people? Government employees went to prison for less than what is happening now. Why is this Matt not in criminal court ? NDP passed a law lately on who can practice law in this country. Let us see what happens. Time for fresh elections. This government has betrayed the people of this country.
  • Bohannon (30/06/2016, 05:55) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Belongers are sellouts just like mark vanterpool
  • tv show (30/06/2016, 06:12) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    This should be a live TV show for all to see..Paper view, I will pay.
    • Spellingblog (04/07/2016, 13:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Pay-per-view - not Paper View. Pay to view the paper or the trial? Better to pay to see the trial, man.
  • wize up (30/06/2016, 07:01) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    VINO needs to find out how much this trial is costing the people of this territory; after all it's your tax money: we also need to know about the settlement after !!!!
  • wow (30/06/2016, 07:49) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    they should have paid him his hush money and this would have never happened
  • limit (30/06/2016, 09:02) Like (9) Dislike (5) Reply
    claude is a true ganster from long he aint no just com player
  • Insane (30/06/2016, 09:58) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    What competent management director allows a project they are directing run into the kind of budget overruns of Pier Park? How does a competent MD allow $ 9 million of missing soft costs? He got a handsome salary and failed spectacularly. Elsewhere, you'd be disgraced, but in the BVIs, the man wants his job back. To do what? Lose more money on the project? Insane
  • Hmm (30/06/2016, 10:01) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Interesting that this case is being tried in camera....with all the alleged shenanigans surrounding his involvement in the Pier Project should be open and transparent for all the world to see!
    • W*F (01/07/2016, 06:16) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      In camera to protect the vital self interests of the involvled parties. If the populace were to find out about the dirty little dealings going on, they would be upset...for about a week and then forget about it.
  • chad (01/07/2016, 16:00) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    That who is replacing the CEO because his nephew he want back his contract lmao poor little nature secret look what Tortola come to Wow.
  • closed doors (01/07/2016, 20:16) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    ¿?????????????????????????????????????????????????? This scenario was wide open how come it is close door now? May be they don't want the press to come in for they may say something that can affect the territory. ?????????? Sometimes its the Comments on the issue, let's wait for the outcome in the case.
  • TRANSCRIPTSTRAIL (04/07/2016, 13:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    You want the real melee? Go pay for the transcripts from the Supreme Court. They are very accurate. That should get you off to a good start in reading.


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