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Skelton-Cline accuses Hon Marlon A. Penn of being ‘intellectually lazy’

- says Hon Penn is ‘disparaging’ Honestly Speaking instead of articulating his vision for VI
Host of Honestly Speaking, Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline during the May 5, 2026, airing of his show. Photo: Facebook
(L-R) Talking Points Co-hosts Damion C. Grange, Elvin G. Grant, and guest Hon Marlon A. Penn during the May 4, 2026, airing of Talking Points. Photo: Facebook
(L-R) Talking Points Co-hosts Damion C. Grange, Elvin G. Grant, and guest Hon Marlon A. Penn during the May 4, 2026, airing of Talking Points. Photo: Facebook
Hon Marlon A. Penn, Chairman of the National Democratic Party, poked fun at Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline’s radio show, asking whether it was Honestly Speaking or Dishonestly Speaking during the May 4, 2026, airing of Talking Points. Photo: Facebook
Hon Marlon A. Penn, Chairman of the National Democratic Party, poked fun at Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline’s radio show, asking whether it was Honestly Speaking or Dishonestly Speaking during the May 4, 2026, airing of Talking Points. Photo: Facebook
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- The host of Honestly Speaking, Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline, has put Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8), Chairman of the National Democratic Party (NDP), on blast for criticising his statements on past shows.

Skelton-Cline has long been a public critic of all the members of the House of Assembly (HoA) and the respective parties from the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) to the NDP. 

Following the NDP’s internal elections in April 2026, where Hon Penn emerged as Chairman and Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) as Deputy Chairman over Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) and former legislator Mark H. Vanterpool, Skelton-Cline warned the younger members not to alienate the “old guards of the party”. 

Honestly Speaking or Dishonestly Speaking- Hon Penn

Hon Penn, who appeared on Talking Points on ZBVI 780 AM on Monday, May 4, 2026, was asked about this particular point by Talking Points Co-host Elvin G. Grant. 

“I wonder where you got that from, Honestly Speaking or Dishonestly Speaking,” Hon Penn jabbed with a chuckle, before saying, “There’s no truth to that.”

Skelton-Cline, in turn, responded to Hon Penn’s statements one day later, during the May 5, 2026, airing of his show, saying, “All he can do is make mention of this programme in a disparaging way.”

Busy playing politics- Skelton-Cline

“That's the extent of their leadership. This is the newly elected Chair who wants to convince this country that he and whomever his team is going to be…But you mean to tell me that persons can be so intellectually lazy; before they expend and take the time and the opportunities in these programmes, on these formats and articulate a vision for this country? No, we don't do that.”

Instead, he said, the time is spent disparaging each other and playing politics,” while the needs of the people of the Virgin Islands (VI) go unmet. 

“Something is wrong with the soul of this country. But y'all want us to elect you. We want, y'all want us to keep you empowered,” Skelton-Cline lamented.

10 Responses to “Skelton-Cline accuses Hon Marlon A. Penn of being ‘intellectually lazy’”

  • Guest (06/05/2026, 09:44) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    It’s funny how CSC usually has the sharpest tongue in the room, handing out licks every week like it’s his civic duty and never cares how his words land. Yet one mild, passing quip from Penn and he reacts as if he’s been gravely wronged. For a man who insists nothing gets to him, he’s remarkably easy to unsettle.
  • Wellsah (06/05/2026, 10:43) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    NDP better go back to the drawing board because this will not work for them.
  • Bit rich (06/05/2026, 10:49) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Isnt it?
  • Resposta (06/05/2026, 11:52) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Csc you should not be called a pastor because you should be out there trying to bring people to christ instead of all that venomous words coming out of your mouth every time you open it fire burn
  • trust (06/05/2026, 13:04) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Csc you should be in a cell next to him maximum security hard labour.
  • Citizen (06/05/2026, 15:59) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    this guy is the worst if he tells me the sky is bluew i will look up to make sure, dude is not to be trusted
  • Truth (06/05/2026, 19:15) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Skelton-Cline is intellectually irritating
    Streat up
  • The holy one strikes back (06/05/2026, 19:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    well marlie boi - you just turn up the heat / yoh gine geh ah sheet ah holy liks in yo arz . " bull wood " like peas
  • BuzzBvi (07/05/2026, 06:28) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    The institutionally lazy Cline that can never deliver a report, despite getting paid very handsomely, calling some one lazy!!!

    Ha ha ha.

    Why does this guys get space in these media mags?
  • Bad new (07/05/2026, 21:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Look who talking about m Penn he should be a shame


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