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Breaches of Register of Interests Act does not equate to corruption– Skelton-Cline

- says CoI has only revealed that VI Legislators must work to strengthen the system
Radio talk-show host Claude O. Skelton-Cline has called on those paying attention to the ongoing UK sponsored Virgin Islands (VI) Commission of Inquiry (CoI), to not equate breaches of the Register of Interest Act, 2006, to corruption and deception on the part of Legislators. Photo: Facebook/File
Of the legislators who breached the Act, Opposition Leader Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) has so far been labelled ‘seriously delinquent’ with regards to late Declarations made to the Registrar of Interests for the periods 2013-2016 and 2017-2020. Photo: CoI/Youtube
Of the legislators who breached the Act, Opposition Leader Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) has so far been labelled ‘seriously delinquent’ with regards to late Declarations made to the Registrar of Interests for the periods 2013-2016 and 2017-2020. Photo: CoI/Youtube
Skelton-Cline maintained, however, that the CoI should not have been established the way it was, which is through the then embattled ex-Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert turning to imperialist legislation to call an inquiry without consultation with the elected Government. Photo: VINO/File
Skelton-Cline maintained, however, that the CoI should not have been established the way it was, which is through the then embattled ex-Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert turning to imperialist legislation to call an inquiry without consultation with the elected Government. Photo: VINO/File
BAUGHERS BAYS, Tortola, VI – Radio talk-show host Claude O. Skelton-Cline has called on those paying attention to the ongoing UK sponsored Virgin Islands (VI) Commission of Inquiry (CoI), to not equate breaches of the Register of Interests Act, 2006, to corruption and deception on the part of Legislators.

“The worse I’ve seen here is that they have not registered their interest as they ought to, in the time span that they were supposed to,” Skelton-Cline said on the Tuesday, June 15, 2021, edition of his Honestly Speaking radio show.

Culture can be correct – Skelton-Cline

“It looks like in that part of the political culture, in that area, there is a culture that [has] developed where the matter of registering their interest has not been a high number on their priority list,” he remarked.

Skelton-Cline maintained, however, that the CoI should not have been established the way it was, which is through the then embattled ex-Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert turning to imperialist legislation to call an inquiry without consultation with the elected Government.  

As such, he said the ‘undressing’ of the system by CoI council Bilal Rawat has only exposed flaws. These flaws he said will mean legislators must now have to strengthen the Register of Interest Act to make compliance better.

“But I don’t want you to equate that with therefore something must be wrong with these men and women we have elected… I am not talking about just the sitting government, I am talking about whoever has sat there before, particularly since this piece of legislation has been issued.”

Legislators must now fix the system

The man of the cloth said that while watching the inquiry is important, Virgin Islands should not lose confidence in the people they have elected as some systemic flaws are exposed.  

‘I don’t want you to equate that with the corruption, I don’t want you to equate that with deception, that’s important,” he said to his listening audience. 

Skelton-Cline maintained that the flaws in the system originate from a culture that can be corrected by strengthening existing legislation and the Virgin Islands should now use the opportunity to come together and fix the system without UK supervision.

23 Responses to “Breaches of Register of Interests Act does not equate to corruption– Skelton-Cline”

  • What? (19/06/2021, 14:22) Like (16) Dislike (2) Reply
    Hahahaha! Please don’t think about and ignoring conflicts of interest processes when the Registrar has repeatedly reminded us is because we don’t care about being accountable to the public. LOL. Tell me another this is great
    • oh yes (20/06/2021, 08:05) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      at the moment the CoI is concentrating on the failure to comply with the Register of Interests Act - it will come to the corruption later. All the members of the HoA accepted that they filed documents late except Willock - he said his 3 filings were made on time, but two were late and the third was not made at all.
      • Stop that (20/06/2021, 12:03) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
        Haven't you heard and read that Hon Neville "Sheep"Smith was the only person intact with everything? Man just give hhim his well earned merits, and cool out.
        Thankyou.
  • good (19/06/2021, 14:43) Like (8) Dislike (8) Reply
    apparently this investigative process is purely targeting the legislative body and the process is not bad what about the national security which falls under governor and commissioners of police because national security have some very serious issues and an inquiry will likewise bring to the spotlight the short comings with the mindset of fixing
  • cgb (19/06/2021, 14:51) Like (5) Dislike (28) Reply
    How many of us have submitted things late before, are we corrupt?
    • @cgb. Here is the difference (19/06/2021, 15:53) Like (42) Dislike (2) Reply
      They knew of this form before they swore in, they were reminded over and over by the lady responsible, they were blatant, wilful, deceitful, disrespectful as usual, bully as we now can see, So, easy to conclude that their intent was to currupt the system... Why is it only Neville fulfil his obligation, He was the only one to obey the rule and the instructions, ????
  • lodger (19/06/2021, 15:14) Like (35) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dont worry. This small beer so far. They have yet to get down to the real stuff.
  • not so (19/06/2021, 15:17) Like (19) Dislike (5) Reply
    Then what is corruption smart man?
    • @ not so (19/06/2021, 15:54) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
      Was wondering the same thing. Have you noticed how the respondents treating the Commissioner's questions as an opportunity to ramble around definitions. This is not English 202, its a real inquiry whereas "I Accept" and "I Agree" means the same thing.
  • Pastor (19/06/2021, 15:18) Like (31) Dislike (2) Reply
    Religious leaders getting rich out the church purse is not corruption eather.
  • So ? (19/06/2021, 15:48) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    If you are correct Sir then I suspect the very learned Commissioner, his counsel, and all the other folk back in the UK are also aware. So it begs the question, why are they going down that road? Almost sure you are wondering the same thing. Is a foundation for a wider construct being established in this round? According to the published schedule there are a few more rounds to go. Maybe they know something you don't know. Just maybe????
  • .... (19/06/2021, 16:24) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Define corruption. Is that what’s going on at the other site in their comment section? Freedom of speech transforms into politically motivated censorship possible like manipulation and paid commentary.
  • BIBLE (19/06/2021, 17:00) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    I notice when you had your interview, you decided to affirm and not swear on the Bible. I am very happy that you remembered God is not to be played with. So yes, affirming was the best thing to do rather than lying under oath.
  • I agree (19/06/2021, 17:47) Like (4) Dislike (19) Reply
    This COI is a waste of people time. They cant find no corruption in either VIP or NDP Govts, so they asking a bunch of irrelevant questions to say that they are doung their job. They need to go back to the UK and investigate their own people
  • Obedience Matters (19/06/2021, 18:11) Like (8) Dislike (7) Reply
    After hearing all the evidence from the COI my respect and admiration for Hon Neville is very high and I think he deserves a Ministry,. Let Vincent step down to a back Bencher too much negative issues under his ministry, he has no control,,,.We must give value to obedience, honesty, and respect for the process and for authority,, Here is where Hon. Neville outshine them all, promote the man.. Hope COI recommend that..
  • Chapter 1 (19/06/2021, 18:36) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    I totally agree, but it does equate to the possibility of there being corruption and that is just as bad. This is why the word transparency goes well with the word governance.
  • long look (19/06/2021, 23:37) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    The COI’s job is to investigate and identify weaknesses in due process, not just allegations of corruption. The aim is to help the BVI govern itself more effectively in the future for the benefit of its residents. I’m thankful, as beyond all the moans and groans this is will benefit us going forward just like Turks and Caicos who are now flourishing.
  • question (20/06/2021, 12:23) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Why doesn't the COI investigate why some white people make so much money in the BVI and the large disparity in pay? Why doesn't it investigate if they pay the tax on their actual salary meaning what is declared on the tax form is the same amount wired to their bank accounts in BVI and Cayman because the amount wired to Cayman may not be declared.
  • crime (20/06/2021, 12:28) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    ENGLAND IS GOING TO HELP US FIX IT . PUT IN SOME CLAWS , THAT WHEN YOU FAIL TO COMPLY IN TIME , IT'S BECOME A CRIME AND YOU HAVE TO PAY $ 10.000 FOR EACH YEAR YOU FAIL TO BE ON TIME.
  • HAHA (20/06/2021, 16:46) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    He is correct. It is not corruption. Most of the businesses are already well known to the public. They have to get permission from the HOA before they can enter into any contract or business with Government so it's not like it would be easy for them to pay themselves and get away with it anyway by failing to Register their interest. The failure to follow the law that was passed is definitely concerning though because the lady begged Dr. Smith for assistance and was chasing them around like children to comply and they still did things on their own terms.
  • @Question (21/06/2021, 07:19) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    What tax form are you referring to? Indeed, why doesn’t the govt look at the disparity in pay here ($ 6/hr is minimum wage, vs about $ 40/hour govt higher ups) and what it costs to live here? Why doesn’t the govt investigate businesswa that don’t pay the employment taxes they collect? Why doesn’t the govt find out how people with no obvious source of income come to own expensive (> 100K) go fast boats? Etc etc….IMHO, it’s because the answers would not be convenient.


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