Skelton Cline Apologises Over Belonger Remarks
Clergyman and broadcaster Claude Skelton Cline has apologised for the harsh tone of his comments defending the new $2,500 Belonger fee, saying his delivery came from passion though his stance remains unchanged. The apology, made on his programme Honestly Speaking, follows public criticism after the Department of Immigration raised the fee from $500 as part of a review of outdated charges.
Claude Skelton Cline, a local clergyman, radio broadcaster and government consultant, has apologised to residents offended by his remarks defending the recent increase to the Belonger certificate fee. Speaking on his programme Honestly Speaking on October 14, Skelton Cline said his delivery had been too harsh and that he regretted how some people received his message. "So I'm sorry.
You know, for those of you, I said it roughly, and it came out in my passion, and I could have said it with more calm and collectiveness. He repeated that his substantive position has not changed. When speaking last week in defence of the fee increase — raised from $500 to $2,500 by the Department of Immigration in September as part of a broader review of outdated government charges — he argued the new level was reasonable given the privileges that come with Belonger status, including freedom from immigration control and the right to own property and obtain trade licences. "You’re becoming a Belonger of a country.
You cannot be complaining about $2,500," he said previously. Skelton Cline said his aim was to highlight the need for order, enforcement and fairness in immigration and residency processes. He acknowledged feedback from the public and said he had reflected on his approach: "Sometimes you have to have the strength to be weak, and I have blind spots too.
I am open to begging pardon." The fee increase has prompted debate across the Virgin Islands, with some residents and stakeholders calling for a reduction or phased implementation to ease the financial burden. The Department of Immigration implemented the change as part of wider efforts to modernise and rationalise government charges that officials said had remained unchanged for years.
Skelton Cline’s apology addresses the tone rather than the substance of his argument. He urged residents to recognise that not everyone will share the same status or privileges and emphasised understanding rights and responsibilities under existing law. The issue remains a point of public discussion as the territory grapples with balancing administrative reform, fairness and affordability for those seeking Belonger status.
Primary source: BVI News