Skelton Cline is the latest in a slew of public figures attempting to distance themselves from the now-disgraced Premier after his arrest on allegations of drug smuggling and money laundering that have sparked international headlines.

Skelton Cline — a widely known supporter of the Fahie administration previously — said the Premier’s arrest was tantamount to an earthquake that shook the nation and after reading the details of his arrest, decided to equivocate the Premier’s alleged actions with selling out the BVI’s birthright.

“I was reading the story of Jacob and Esau,” Skelton Cline said on his Honestly Speaking radio show on Tuesday. “I thought about our children, I thought about our children’s children and my heart remains saddened. And ‘saddened’ does not adequately or accurately describe the sentiment that has been my constant companion since last Thursday.”

“The truth is, this was a heinous and egregious action, [a] decision taken by a man that we know, a man that we have elected in this country,” the clergyman said.

“There can be no excuse, there can be no explanation, dear to us – family, friend, acquaintance, leader – as he has been. This was egregious. This is not who we are as a people,” Skelton Cline added.

“I Claude Skelton Cline, in no uncertain terms must condemn in absolute and concrete fashion corruption of any kind, in any corner, in any quarters. When we see these kinds of things, we must indeed distance ourselves from any such decisions and behaviour, especially when it comes from leadership,” Skelton Cline said.

Condemnation is no attempt to be sanctimonious

Meanwhile, Skelton Cline, who has himself faced allegations of varying transgressions regarding his business dealings with governments over the years, adopted a humanistic stance in admonishing the Premier’s alleged actions.

He was quick to assert that in the same breath that the Premier’s alleged actions were being condemned, this was not to “communicate any sanctimonious or moralistic posture”.

“Because with the same breath, we are mindful and also equally prayerful for a wife, for two daughters, for a mother, an entire family who are also with the country, but in a more personal way, having to navigate their way through this,” Skelton Cline added.

The clergyman further noted that the BVI has been deeply wounded as a result of the international incident and said there has been a tremendous and unimaginable breach of trust that has arisen as a result.

In the meantime, Premier Fahie, after attempting to assert diplomatic immunity to secure his release days ago, is now expected to face a pre-trial detention hearing to determine bail sometime today when he appears before Judge Jonathan Goodman in a Florida court.