In a interview on ZBVI radio yesterday, the talk show host and clergyman lashed out at the United Kingdom (UK) and Governor John Rankin for a release timeline that projected a likely June date for the COI report to make its way into the public domain.

During the interview, Skelton Cline questioned how elected officials could go to the UK to negotiate anything with the governor and other UK officials on behalf of the people of the BVI.

“If elected officials in the government and on the Opposition side think that they have the right to run off on behalf of the people without the people knowing for what reason and to what end they are running off for, it’s wrong,” the commentator stated.

According to Skelton Cline, the governor’s projected timeline is effectively six to seven months away from any likely general election that could be held.

The BVI‘s elections are constitutionally due sometime in early 2023 and Premier Andrew Fahie has repeatedly indicated that he is not inclined to call an election date before that time.

A line in the sand

Meanwhile, the talk show host suggested the projected timeline to make the report public should be rejected.

“This for me and for others should be a line in the sand,” Skelton Cline stated.

He continued: “I think that on behalf of the people that this is another colonial move and the UK simply don’t understand the people of these Virgin Islands and the people of these Virgin Islands must see this for what it is, call it for what it is and do not allow this to happen.”

Skelton Cline suggested that persons call the offices of their government ministers and elected representatives and bombard their phones to register their discontent with the modus operandi, as laid out by the governor.

“What I am hoping for is that the people we have elected is in fact of a different mindset,” the outspoken commentator said.

Possible protest?

He also did not rule out taking any protest about the timeline to the streets of the BVI.

“Of course, it’s a democratic society we live in,” he offered when asked about possible street protests. “The people can express theirself in protest if they are not in favor of a process that they see taking place.”

“There is nothing about this demonstrates good governance, nothing about this that demonstrates transparency — the very thing that the UK came here and investigate about us and our foreparents for the last seventy years. This is just wrong on its face,” the outspoken clergyman added.

Skelton Cline and his controversial dealings with the government over the year have been one of the focuses of the COI during the inquiry.