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Vanterpool acted like an 'enemy of the state' - Skelton-Cline

- calls made for HoA members to denounce Hon Mark H. Vanterpool’s verbal attacks
Newly sworn in Fourth District Representative Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool had launched a scathing attack on Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), suggesting, among other things, the premier has not been honest about the reason for this security detail. Photo: VINO/File
Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline has called on all members of the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly (HoA) to publicly denounce the actions of Hon Mark H. Vanterpool. Photo: VINO/File
Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline has called on all members of the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly (HoA) to publicly denounce the actions of Hon Mark H. Vanterpool. Photo: VINO/File
In calling on former Premier, Dr D. Orlando Smith—who was present at the verbal outburst—to denounce the statements oh Hon Mark H. Vanterpool, Skelton-Cline said the verbal out lash is one that is damaging to the Virgin Islands and will lend nothing of value to build and advance the cause of the Territory. Photo: Facebook
In calling on former Premier, Dr D. Orlando Smith—who was present at the verbal outburst—to denounce the statements oh Hon Mark H. Vanterpool, Skelton-Cline said the verbal out lash is one that is damaging to the Virgin Islands and will lend nothing of value to build and advance the cause of the Territory. Photo: Facebook
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI - Commentator Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline has called on all members of the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly (HoA) to publically denounce the actions of Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) following a vicious verbal attack against the Premier and other members of the public and private sectors.

Soon after being sworn-into to the District Four Seat at the Tuesday, July 16, 2019, Fifth Sitting of the First Session of The Fourth House, Mr Vanterpool launched what Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1) called a ‘theatrical and petulant outburst’ that was 'defamatory' and akin to 'character assassination' in the compound of the HoA.

Enemy of the State

“Hearing the member of the 4th district… the pronouncements that were made was just reckless. It was a reckless abandonment of decency and the value that bespeaks our fore-parents and the journey that got us to the place where we are today,” Mr Skelton-Cline said in the opening commentary of his Tuesday, July 24, 2019, edition of his ZBVI 780 AM show, Honestly Speaking.

Describing the attacks as vile, vulgar and vicious, the man of the cloth further said that the behaviour of Mr Vanterpool was so unbecoming as a legislator, “this conduct and behaviour was as one who you would have thought was an enemy of the state,” he said.

“To make these kinds of pronouncements on the public stage, where everything is instant, where everything is international… and the implications for us as a territory, as a country, an economy… these things cannot be taken lightly.”

Echoing similar sentiments in Premier Fahie’s July 18, 2019, media statement criticising Mr Vanterpool, Mr Skelton-cline noted that the actions of the Fourth District Representative were not only unacceptable as a citizen, but equally as a parliamentarian.

'Denounce Vanterpool' – Skelton-Cline

“Clearly, we cannot have for more reasons than one, as a country, this kind of victorial coming out of us, where so much is at stake,”  Mr Skelton Cline beseeched.

The Premier in his media statement said that ’defamatory’ Mr Vanterpool, “attack all and sundry including contractors, the police service, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Supervisor of Elections and the Elections Office, and the people."

Hon Fahie also noted that the attacks came without giving a second thought to damage and hurt that the words could cause to innocent Virgin Islanders and the economy. Among other statements, Mr Vanterpool said the Premier has not been honest about the reason for his security detail.

According to Skelton-Cline, Hon Vanterpool even allegedly referenced the mother of a current HoA member as part of his verbal tirade, “I am calling on every member of the House of Assembly, it doesn’t matter if you are in the Opposition, to denounce this kind of behaviour and conduct,” he said. 

In calling on former Premier, Dr D. Orlando Smith—who was present at the verbal outburst—to denounce the statements, Skelton-Cline said the actions of Mr Vanterpool’s is one that is damaging to the Virgin Islands and will lend nothing of value to build and advance the cause of the territory.

20 Responses to “Vanterpool acted like an 'enemy of the state' - Skelton-Cline”

  • tretretrete (24/07/2019, 07:55) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply
    All of this could have been avoided.
    • @ hmmm (24/07/2019, 08:43) Like (14) Dislike (14) Reply
      For real as the locals were with the esteemed speaker not to swear him in...but some of you got soft
  • asking for a friend (24/07/2019, 08:05) Like (21) Dislike (16) Reply
    Why you all still giving crazy Mark any attention?
    • wize up (24/07/2019, 08:32) Like (5) Dislike (12) Reply
      @ asking for a friend: that is the question of the day because one will think its now water under the bridge(as a people we love to much drama)
    • john public (24/07/2019, 08:42) Like (19) Dislike (23) Reply
      He need to take up a mental programme. Him and all who support he behavior.
  • jerome (24/07/2019, 08:33) Like (23) Dislike (20) Reply
    He act out wicked me boy. This too painful watch he disgrace BVI. Anybody don’t know what hate is just look at mark.
  • Not2Sure (24/07/2019, 08:44) Like (37) Dislike (24) Reply
    Mark Vanterpool should never again be referred to as Honorable
  • @Not2Sure (24/07/2019, 09:00) Like (24) Dislike (17) Reply
    It was all a low class theatrical performance supported by his family and Orlando. None of them told him to shut his pipe. He need a flogging. Better yet charge him for defamation and threat to the territory.
  • Shameful (24/07/2019, 09:11) Like (14) Dislike (13) Reply
    No class!
  • The Reaper (24/07/2019, 10:21) Like (10) Dislike (14) Reply
    Freedom of
    F@@King Speech. When You’ll pay my bills for Me Then have nothing to say about The People’s Man. Facts
    • OIC (25/07/2019, 07:01) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      @The Reamer, so you're one of those that be receiving handouts with your eyes and ears shut and your hand out. No politician ain't suppose to be paying no one man's bill go get a job or a real job from kissing on Mark's a$$
  • tretretrete (24/07/2019, 11:19) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply
    Pot calling kettle bottom black
  • Truth Sayer (24/07/2019, 11:43) Like (27) Dislike (8) Reply
    Since when Claude Skelton Cline gets to judge anyone let alone Mark? When he called Dancia an empty kerosene pan was that not disgraceful and without class? Scriptures says, ye that is without sin, cast the first stone. How many of us can say that we are without sin" NONE1
  • @truthsayer (24/07/2019, 11:58) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    Look wha mark do in comparison. He couldn’t wait for vengeance. People like them must sweat in the sleep. Mean he taking you down with he ugly fraught mouth self.
  • king (24/07/2019, 12:01) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    When you tell a man bout he mother then you a enemy to the whole family. F with mi but not mi mudda.
    • Reply (24/07/2019, 13:34) Like (10) Dislike (4) Reply
      Mark cross the line against the speaker I don't know how he can sit in side the house anymore
  • Citizen (24/07/2019, 18:27) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply

    When a Man of God break away from his Love for God he will become the most dangerous man to deal with. Satan was such a man 

  • Real enemy (25/07/2019, 07:09) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply

    Claude Cline acted like an enemy of the state with the pier park. He is not talking this. I agree mark needs to be disciplined because he was out of order, but Claude should not be the one.



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