Vanterpool Denies New Party Rumours
Former legislator Mark Vanterpool has rejected claims that Junior Minister Lorna Smith is joining a new political party with him, calling the suggestion false and irresponsible. Vanterpool singled out radio commentator Claude Skelton Cline’s remarks on the Honestly Speaking programme and urged commentators to verify information before broadcasting.
Former Fourth District legislator Mark Vanterpool has publicly dismissed rumours that Junior Minister for Financial Services Lorna Smith is joining a new political party linked to him, calling the suggestions untrue and irresponsible. Vanterpool was responding to commentary aired on the Honestly Speaking radio programme last Tuesday in which commentator Claude Skelton Cline suggested Vanterpool was forming a new party and speculated that Smith might be involved.
Vanterpool said there had been no discussion with Smith and no truth to the claim. "It is not true that Honourable Lorna Smith is joining any party with me and anything like that," he said, adding the matter was "not a discussion" and "not something that is happening." The former legislator criticised Skelton Cline by name and urged greater care from broadcasters and commentators. "I want to encourage him to, when he’s doing his commentary, which he has a right to do, to verify his statements and make sure that the public understands that what he’s saying is true," Vanterpool said.
He described the timing of the speculation as particularly unhelpful given that elections are still some distance away. Vanterpool said he was "very annoyed" by the reports and warned that such statements risk misleading the public. He also reiterated his long-standing approach of supporting the elected administration after polls and encouraging it to govern responsibly. "Honourable Lorna Smith continues to do her work.
I will continue to support the government as best I can," he said. Skelton Cline, on Honestly Speaking, linked his comments to the financial costs of launching a political organisation, saying a party requires significant resources. He stated: "I understand the former member of the Fourth District, that he is starting a party, Honourable Vanterpool," and added, "And I suspect if he’s starting a party, that his sister will be with him." The remarks come against the backdrop of Smith’s recent political trajectory.
A former Deputy Premier, Smith was dismissed from Cabinet late last year amid allegations of disloyalty and questions over her position during a vote of confidence in the House of Assembly. Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley said at the time he did not have confidence that she would remain with his administration for the term.
Smith was returned to government earlier this year as a junior minister and defended the decision as necessary to meet the territory’s urgent needs, saying "it should be all hands on deck." For BVI residents, the episode underscores the influence of talk radio on local politics and the need for verified reporting as the territory moves through its political cycle.
Primary source: BVI News