Social Commentator and talk show host Claude O. Skelton-Cline has said his comments made about former legislator Mark H. Vanterpool, during the December 23, 2025, airing of his show, Honestly Speaking, were not misinformation or misrepresentation. Photo: Facebook

Former legislator Mr Mark H. Vanterpool, left, has refuted claims by commentator Claude O. Skelton-Cline that he (Mr Vanterpool) is starting a political party and may take his sister, the current Junior Minister for Financial Services and Economic Development, Hon Lorna G. Smith OBE (AL), with him. Photo: Facebook

During his final show of 2025, Skelton-Cline speculated that Vanterpool, a former District Four representative, was starting a new political party and that his sister, the current Junior Minister for Financial Services and Economic Development, Hon Lorna G. Smith OBE (AL), could be joining him. 

Vanterpool, who went on ZBVI Radio following Skelton-Cline’s show, said his sister continues to do her work and is “not joining any party with him”.

He also called Mr Skelton-Cline's remarks irresponsible, adding there was no truth to Hon Smith joining him. 

Vanterpool also said he was “very annoyed with what was said by Mr Skelton-Cline” because “it is not true”.

'This is a grown-up programme'

Skelton-Cline, during his first show of 2026, on Tuesday, January 14, 2026, cleared the air saying, “I said that the [former] member of the fourth District was starting a party and that I suspect, underline the word suspect, that his sister was going to be with him.”

He said he learned of Vanterpool’s response to him when a “particular news agency let him come and make all kinds of statements about what Claude Skelton-Cline said on Honestly Speaking, spreading rumours. Nothing I said to you is spreading rumours”. 

Skelton-Cline said the only reason he was addressing this particular component is because he wanted to be as forthright and transparent as possible with his listeners. “This is Honestly Speaking, this is a grown-up programme.”

Information came from 'primary source'

Skelton-Cline added that in speaking with Vanterpool via WhatsApp, following his response, is that Vanterpool “did not hear the programme for himself, he was receiving the information from somebody else, and that’s what he was reacting to."

Skelton-Cline said he does not see it fit to get into a “squabble” with Vanterpool over this misunderstanding, saying he sees Vanterpool as a friend and brother, as they are members of the same ministry. 

“Whatever I said comes from a primary source. Now, of course, I can understand if you didn’t hear the programme, and I can understand you wanting to protect the existing member, that’s fine, but there’s nothing I said here that misrepresented the facts of any kind.”

See link to related article

https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/ex-legislator-mark-h-vanterpool-blasts-skelton-cline-over-erroneous-statements