Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline during Honestly Speaking on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Photo: Facebook

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is a UK government department responsible for promoting British interests overseas, managing international relationships, and delivering development aid. Photo: Internet Source

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), right, said in December 2025 that the Minister for the Overseas Territories, Stephen J. Doughty MP, left, expressed 'openness' to the proposed amendment to the financial protocols that would reduce the mandated liquidity ratio—the minimum reserve of cash and short-term assets—from 25 percent to 20 percent of recurrent revenue. Photo: GIS/File

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has not given the green light for the fiscal space to move forward with the development of the T.B. Lettsome International Airport. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands/File

During part three of ‘Can I say some things and still be loved’ on his radio programme on ZBVI 780 AM on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, Skelton-Cline claimed that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has not given the "green light" for a very important step for the expansion of the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport’s runway.

“[The government has] asked and requested for the fiscal space, the monetary space to do the development of the Terrance B. Lettsome Airport. And when we query as to where we are with the airport, the government is telling us that to date, the United Kingdom, via the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, have not given them the green light that provides the fiscal space for us to move forward with the development of our airport.”

Airlift, he said, for the past 25 to 30 years, has been essential for the continued progress and development of the Virgin Islands. 

“Yet, the United Kingdom has not given a favourable response.” 

Death by bureaucracy

Skelton-Cline said the government and Governor Pruce need to advocate on behalf of the need for the fiscal space to be approved. 

The Virgin Islands, he pointed out, has never forefeited on a loan or had to ask the UK for anything, adding that the notion of contingent liability being held over the head of the VI is a smoke screen. 

“My brothers and sisters, this is what is called death by bureaucracy…pile upon you all kinds of asks, all kinds of requests, all kinds of paperwork, all kinds of questions, just bury you in the bureaucracy until you become so frustrated, so disgusted, so powerless, that you just give up trying to build your country.”

Why treat the VI this way?

“Y’all gotta do better than this by us. There’s no reason why we haven’t received a favourable answer for better airlift in this country.”

He said that the enhancement of the tourism product, having some sovereignty and national security, is directly related to the expansion of the airport.

Skelton-Cline added, “Why do you continue to treat the Virgin Islands the way you’ve been treating us?”

Contradiction

The commentator's comments contradict those of Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), who said in December 2025, that the Minister for the Overseas Territories, Stephen J. Doughty MP, expressed openness to the proposed amendment to the financial protocols that would reduce the mandated liquidity ratio—the minimum reserve of cash and short-term assets—from 25 percent to 20 percent of recurrent revenue.

"The reduction is recognised as reflecting the sustained fiscal maturity and improved financial management capabilities demonstrated by the Overseas Territory governments," Dr Wheatley had said at a press conference on December 12, 2025.