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VI in worse pandemic days yet demanding CoI persists– Skelton-Cline

- says Inquiry remains demanding towards persons who lost loved ones in July death spike
Honestly Speaking radio host, Claude O. Skelton-Cline said amidst the most devising days of the COVID-19 pandemic right now in the Virgin Islands (VI), the UK-sponsored VI Commission of Inquiry (CoI) is still being demanding towards public officers and witnesses. Photo: VINO/File
From left: Commissioner Gary R. Hickinbottom and Secretary to the Commission, Steven Chandler. Despite the Virgin Islands going through a challenging time, where it is seeing record numbers of active COVID-19 cases and deaths, the United Kingdom (UK) sponsored Commission of Inquiry (CoI) called by the aggrieved ex-governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert days before his exit from the territory has said it will resume its work next month. Photo: VINO/File
From left: Commissioner Gary R. Hickinbottom and Secretary to the Commission, Steven Chandler. Despite the Virgin Islands going through a challenging time, where it is seeing record numbers of active COVID-19 cases and deaths, the United Kingdom (UK) sponsored Commission of Inquiry (CoI) called by the aggrieved ex-governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert days before his exit from the territory has said it will resume its work next month. Photo: VINO/File
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI – Honestly Speaking radio host, Claude O. Skelton-Cline said amidst the most challenging days of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Virgin Islands (VI), the United Kingdom (UK) sponsored Commission of Inquiry (CoI) in the Virgin Islands (VI) is still being demanding towards public officers and witnesses.

During his Honestly Speaking radio show on June 20, 2021, Mr Sketlton-Cline said although Virgin Islanders are mourning the loss of their family and friends, the CoI is making demands on persons to comply.

“Our friends are dying, our family members are dying, our acquaintances are dying, our neighbours are dying, our healthcare services is under duress, our healthcare service practitioners and providers are overworked,” Skelton-Cline said.

‘We have gone as far as setting up a field-hospital, converted the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex into a hospital to accommodate and care for our people… and yet, we have this Commission of Inquiry,” he said, noting that Commissioner Gary R. Hickinbottom is insisting on keeping his timeline.

CoI demanding public officers 

According to the man of the cloth, while the duration of the CoI has been extended somewhat, people are still being demanded to provide documents, often in multiple copies, and present themselves before the commission in the middle of the pandemic, which he described as a ‘tragedy and trauma’.

“Even though I understand they are claiming there won't be any testimonies until the end of August when they resume that portion, the fact of the matter is our public officers are still under the strain in responding to an abundance of work specific to the CoI independent of them carrying out their regular duties as public officers,” he said.

Skelton-Cline said with officers being sparse and scarce due to the pandemic, people are now having to work remotely as a result of the CoI demands on public officers.

There have also been calls for the Government of the VI to suspend its cooperation with the CoI, so that elected officials and public servants can focus on managing the pandemic.

The UK government has dodged a CoI into its handling of the pandemic, as well as COVID spending, arguing that its resources would be strained and taken away from the COVID-19 fight.

There are more than 1600 active cases and 23 confirmed COVID-19 related deaths in the territory, according to the latest update from the government.

34 Responses to “VI in worse pandemic days yet demanding CoI persists– Skelton-Cline”

  • spirit (22/07/2021, 13:53) Like (31) Dislike (3) Reply
    What have we done to deserve this human plague?
    • Verifying (22/07/2021, 14:49) Like (49) Dislike (1) Reply
      @Spirit. Are you speaking of CSC?
    • Fraud Skilled-in Crime (23/07/2021, 11:41) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      Instead of crying for suspension of the COI (which is already suspended!) perhaps Mr Cline could suspend "Dishonestly Speaking" on the radio and spend his time accounting for the hundreds of thousands of $ he's lifted from the pockets BVI tax payers for bogus consultancy..
    • Joanne (23/07/2021, 13:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You didn't had to do anything. the bible must be fulfilled. It's all over the world is dealing with it. It have a new one out called Lamdba...

      The Bible speaks about the 7 plague
  • UK (22/07/2021, 14:12) Like (48) Dislike (1) Reply
    Claude, what has to be must be, you could rant and rave and bla bla as much as you want, the mother land decided the COI must go on, cant you guys see?, are you blind?, there is nothing you can do or say to stop this COI, so please stop blowing steam CSC.
    • josiah'sbay (23/07/2021, 00:04) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
      Opposition to the COI should have been at the beginning not after it started. By letting it start we gave it our tacit approval. We should have stated our position for participation as " Under duress and in protests" or we should have made a legal challenge. Instead we put out a false bravado stating that we have nothing to hide in politics where we assume that all politicians have something to hide, whether substantial or insignificant. It's the nature of the beast (Politics). We have to stop looking at ourselves as a territory of the UK but as a territory striving towards self-determination. We can't love and admire our oppressor and at the same time trying to get away from his tyrannical rule.
      • @JosiahsBay (23/07/2021, 08:49) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
        The COI is exposing the tyrannical and oppressors and they are not from the UK. In the last 50 years more has been looted than at any time in history.

        It’s not difficult work to provide documents. They should already be prepared by now anyway. Look at the Clive Smith debacle and you know the worst thing the public servants are contending with is the cabal throwing them under the bus.
  • Rubber Duck (22/07/2021, 14:20) Like (51) Dislike (1) Reply
    Clutching at straws Claude?
  • Amazing (22/07/2021, 14:36) Like (45) Dislike (0) Reply
    Something in the BVI that at least attempts to keep to a schedule
  • Richie (22/07/2021, 14:42) Like (56) Dislike (2) Reply
    Boy go siddown. Wahhappen, you nervous about something or wah it is you don't want them to tell????
    As a man if faith shouldn't u be praying for us?????
  • Island Peeps (22/07/2021, 14:45) Like (63) Dislike (1) Reply
    Stop whining. You've been paid a fortune on a contract that has not been made public, so get working to earn the salary.
  • y (22/07/2021, 14:50) Like (39) Dislike (2) Reply
    Most business places including many Government businesses including the Courts are opened and functioning even at a reduced or remote level. Persons who are impacted by these unfortunate deaths should be given grieving periods from their places of employment. My condolences to all. The question here is why should the COI completely close its sessions? The sooner this ends the better it would be for all of us and our Legislature.
  • manners (22/07/2021, 14:54) Like (47) Dislike (28) Reply
    Unfortunately they doesn't care only we the bitter envious salty bvi people who so hatred and wanna see each other fall because our lives miserable with marriage jobs and mortgages that we want see the uk take over so we can be like other Caribbean countries where the people owns nada hope when their wish comes tru they happy set of envious backward salty people so mad because tortola don't run by last names anymore booooooo move over man
  • Agree with u (22/07/2021, 15:03) Like (2) Dislike (10) Reply
    I totally agree with u on this..
  • WEW (22/07/2021, 15:05) Like (39) Dislike (1) Reply
    Go Join your old boss Kwame Kirkpatrick in Detroit. He’s taking up preaching. How ironic. Yes folks look him up if you want to know where Claude is from
  • What? (22/07/2021, 15:16) Like (32) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sit down CSC, you are embarassing yourself now....
  • nonsense (22/07/2021, 15:31) Like (25) Dislike (0) Reply
    The information being sought was requested weeks or even over a month before the COVID spike and the COI is currently on a month's break so what is this loon ranting about now? Admit that our systems are archaic, idiotic and corrupt! Everything that has come out of the COI thus far were put in black and white by our own locals whose job it is to keep the government people honest. The COI only happened because the Auditors and others were ignored for years.
  • dua (22/07/2021, 16:40) Like (19) Dislike (25) Reply
    @manners, You are talking crap.
  • wow (22/07/2021, 17:12) Like (28) Dislike (0) Reply
    BVI Pandemic is in worst state but yet you( CSC) on her talking Piss! JSTFU!
  • Fools (22/07/2021, 19:35) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    The whining must stop. Instead of these politicians, commissioners and directors complaining, they can assist in making the copies. You do not need a high diploma to make photo copies.
  • The guilty (22/07/2021, 19:38) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why TF this man don't go sit down I sick of seeing BS from this criminal. Using the word of God to thief tax payers money. Please please please stop bring this criminal up.
  • No joke (22/07/2021, 19:43) Like (0) Dislike (8) Reply
    Lots of drama popcorn for some but what good in this pandemic has come from the COI taking place at this time? Vs after the pandemic??

    Seriously all I see is they made it harder for future stimulus initiatives to be considered. Which is ludicrous after the UK turned us down and said we have healthy funds to create our own pandemic funding.

    jaspert was a real backstabber he set them up dirty.

    All in all money went to wealthy middle class and the poor and that cannot be denied I’m glad to see they’ve continued with a new stimulus initiative despite the noise.

    When your helping your people survive for a fact no one can tarnish that.
  • @ MANNERS (22/07/2021, 19:58) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    I HOPE AND PRAY THAT NO ONE HAS ( BLOOD ) ON THEIR HANDS IN THEIR
    EFFORT STOP THE ( COI ) BECAUSE THAT COULD BE INTERPRETATED AS
    MURDER / THEN THAT WILL BE A DIFFERENT BALL GAME
  • Congratulations (22/07/2021, 20:16) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    That all he can talk about
  • hmmm (22/07/2021, 20:18) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Aye y’all keep preaching negative over people and others you may be surprised when blessings fall on them while you miss yours.
  • Ron (22/07/2021, 21:51) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    you ask for it you got it. Many will cry when the UK take over. It not going to be good.
    The End of Time Is near. May God save our souls
  • Lion heart (22/07/2021, 23:11) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    Man of the cloth...if you was as passionate about your roll as a pastor...the b.v.I I think would be in a better place so to speak right now...but instead you always on air spitting out your venom.....why are you so afraid of the col? ..they are doing the job they were sent here to do...businesses are still open and functional so let them do their job...we need to hear you talk about God his goodness his mercies and so fourth..... Are you really a man of the cloth or the devil servant?
    • Foolish People. Easy money for Lawyers (23/07/2021, 07:25) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      The COI is out Foxing these foolish people.. All the Documents the COI are asking for, the COI already have copies, they are just testing their honesty,,,,,Also the COI is putting the burden on them to produce their own documents which is the right, legal and proper way, those are documents they created..If they cant produce them...Hmmm...Its in their best interest to corperate and stop playing Games... The COI is ahead of the game
  • 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (23/07/2021, 06:38) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.
  • Self preservation. Blame the witnesses (23/07/2021, 06:47) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is all about finding away to get off the hook.. The COI is doing a respectful, fair and decent inquiry...it's the witnesses that is complicating the process with their convenient memory loss, their sabataging approach, their dishonesty...If the witnesses were been straight, clean, corporative and honest, it would have been a simple process. Might have been over by now
  • Lily Ann (23/07/2021, 08:10) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Claude, if I die on the Job, the work will go on right ?!?!?!? Ok .. Respect to all the dead, but the WORK OF THE PEOPLE MUST GO ON !!!!
  • Siren (23/07/2021, 14:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The COI siren went off again.


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