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UK is the 'architect of victimisation'- Skelton-Cline

- said everyone is free to speak their mind in VI without being victimised by Gov't
Host of the Honestly Speaking Radio Show on 780 AM ZBVI, Mr Claude O. Skelton Cline said the Virgin Islands is trying to function in an emerging democracy under an archaic system. Photo: VINO/File
Claims of victimisation in the Virgin Islands government by the United Kingdom have come as a surprise to commentator Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline, as he said everyone, including civil servants, freely expresses their mind in public without repercussions. Photo: VINO/File
Claims of victimisation in the Virgin Islands government by the United Kingdom have come as a surprise to commentator Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline, as he said everyone, including civil servants, freely expresses their mind in public without repercussions. Photo: VINO/File
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- Host of the Honestly Speaking Radio Show on 780 AM ZBVI, Mr Claude O. Skelton Cline has questioned the claims by the United Kingdom that there is an issue of victimisation in the territory.

His statement was made in light of the reasons given by the United Kingdom (UK) sponsored Commission of Inquiry (CoI) that there were claims of victimisation taking place in the Virgin Islands.

“I don’t know nobody in the Virgin Islands who is afraid to say anything they want to say when they get ready to say it. I find it quite curious that this is one of the accusations that they are leveling against, that there is victimisation going on,” he said during his show on Tuesday, September 28, 2021.

UK is architect of victimisation

Mr Skelton-Cline went on to assert that the mother country is the architect of victimisation.

“Let’s talk about first of all, freedom of speech; it is only in the public service that you have what you call the general orders you know, and where does the general orders come from? They come from the Governor’s Office under the auspices of the Deputy Governor, which is the whole apparatus of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), which is the whole apparatus of the United Kingdom proper,” he remarked.

“That is where the general orders come from that have you shutting your mouth and being quiet about things you see or don’t see, and your only recourse is to go down now to the Governor’s Office where you think between the Governor and the Premier there should be consultation but all the while this is being fed up to the FCO, being fed up to the powers that be, only years later to be used against you, which in essence is being used against us. It is the general orders that have you mute in so many ways, they are not designed for any freedom of any society! It is a residue of a colonial power where it is all centralised and directed, and it is pointing in one direction,” the talk show host said.

He said the VI is trying to function in an emerging democracy under an archaic system.

“The architects of victimisation – the United Kingdom. They have perfected their victimisation just what they are doing here right now,” he said.

15 Responses to “UK is the 'architect of victimisation'- Skelton-Cline”

  • bvibuzz (29/09/2021, 08:02) Like (9) Dislike (30) Reply
    Not only the uk has a history of victimization but RACISM
  • Lucifer (29/09/2021, 08:20) Like (36) Dislike (2) Reply
    Maybe would help if people like Claude stopped trying to convince the population that the UK is to blame for problems here. He helps to instill a victim mentality which shackles the local populace far more than any UK government policy
  • Hey CSC (29/09/2021, 08:53) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    What side of the fence are you playing on.
  • Sam (29/09/2021, 08:58) Like (22) Dislike (1) Reply
    stop passing the blame unto the united kingdom and be honest with ourselves

    accountability of tax money also spendings by those we voted for should be upfront


    • More Hatred exist here (29/09/2021, 09:50) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
      Do u know the Amt of oppression caribbean people are going through and facing from Labour and immigration...When the truth comes out you will be shocked and I hope you open your mouth to condemn it....The Truth will come out, Just like how there is a COI into good Governance, there will be a COI into immigration and labour abuses...
  • downislander (29/09/2021, 09:04) Like (24) Dislike (0) Reply
    The UK has not been the one victimising other black people from the islands. VI employers robbing them blind and not paying their payroll deductions to the relevant authorities. Get real. Talking sh"'£e
  • Question to answer (29/09/2021, 09:30) Like (2) Dislike (14) Reply
    Was Noel Lloyd victimized? The local population is programmed to victimize anyone who goes against the narrative that has been given by the colonizers. Don't mind the noise the vast majority of British Virgin Islanders reject Africa and anything African. Many do so with ridicule and scorn. BVI is the most white washed country on the planet. Most expatriates recognize this fact and use it to their advantage. Another dangerous principle is that of deception and manipulation. There can never be a positive outcome for this country based on the present mind set. We will forever remain but sounding brass and tinkling cymbals living in sin and shame.
  • Are you they come for!. (29/09/2021, 09:46) Like (16) Dislike (3) Reply
    You all think you all can continue to Rob the people and the treasury continuosly and get away,, You all been deceiving us for yrs...Now its time to answer.....Step up and answer honestly and stop getting disrespectful and defensive....We need answers. Thks for the COI..
  • Patriotic (29/09/2021, 09:59) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    THATS YOUR OPINION SIR , majority dont share the same sentiments
  • priest (29/09/2021, 10:55) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    Long after we attain self rule status. Long after we become Independent. Long after there is no UK influence or a UK appointed Governor. Long after this talk show host and most of us no longer exist the UK will be blamed for our problems. Could you imagine after 400 years and counting we are still blaming slavery for our problems? Isn't it time to heed the words of Bob Marley to "Emancipate ourselves from mental slavery? Why are we allowing this man us shackled to the ugly stakes of colonialism, slavery and the UK? . Some will say "ok we should not forget our last or we will repeat it" but as a people we have grown stronger and better. Look at where we were and are today! It is in the interest of some people to keep us shackled. By the way victimisation(not necessarily from the UK) has always exist within the territory it just that people were and are still afraid to speak out.
  • BuzzBvi (29/09/2021, 11:02) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Clearly you are not great to be a consultant if you "...don’t know nobody in the Virgin Islands who is afraid to say anything they want to say when they get ready to say it." To be consultant we need people that are connected and have knowledge, not people with their head in the sand. As pretty as our beaches may be!
  • @ CSC (29/09/2021, 11:44) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    well the grasshopper is trying another thing again /
  • hmmm (29/09/2021, 12:05) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    I remember the time the UK victimised the people of the VI by giving them vaccines. One that CSC took and claimed helped him beat COVID.

    These bullies!
  • Hmmmi am (29/09/2021, 17:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am claud to the end of the day .....for anywhere in this world life is like a cat rat and a pieace of big cheese......that real now .... who with out sin i beg keep ur mouth shut....for there none.....all thief let ud steal wat it s our .......it ours ......fu..k the white man


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