Premier Reshuffles Cabinet

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BVI Platinum News

(PLTM) - Following the removal of Hon. Ronnie Skelton as Minister of Health and Social Development, Premier, the Honourable Dr. D. Orlando Smith has replaced him with District Eight Representative, Hon. Marlon Penn, who also serves as Junior Minister for Trade and Investment Promotion.

In view of this, Backbencher, Hon. Alvera Maduro-Caines will be sworn in as Junior Minister for Trade and Investment Promotion upon her return to the territory, as she is currently off-island.

In a public statement dated yesterday, November 19, the Premier also indicated that Government Backbencher and District Nine Representative, the Honourable Dr. Hubert O’Neal would be taking the place of Hon. Archie Christian as Junior Minister of Tourism.

Speaking to his reason for firing Hon. Skelton, the Premier shared that following Skelton’s confirmation that he is heading a new political party in a recent media publication, he—the Premier—had “no choice but to ask His Excellency the Governor to revoke Mr. Skelton's appointment as a Minister of Government and a member of Cabinet.”

“It was untenable for him to sit in an NDP Administration, make decisions as a member of Cabinet, and form his own party at the same time. This constituted a clear conflict of interest,” the Premier stated.

He therefore thanked Hon. Skelton for his service and expressed his good wishes for him and his new party.

Meanwhile, the Premier said that between now and the expected General Elections in April, he expects that Government will accomplish much more.

Yesterday, Hon. Skelton's position as Minister of Health and Social Development was revoked, and he subsequently resigned from the National Democratic Party (NDP).

His firing came after months of news about his new party that he formed after losing his race for NDP Chairman to Hon. Myron Walwyn.

This also comes less than one week after Hon. Archie Christian was booted as Junior Minister of Tourism; after resigning from the NDP.

He had told BVI Platinum News that his resignation from the party was due to him joining Skelton’s new Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM).

Less than 24 hours after Christian’s firing, Government Backbencher, Melvin Mitch Turnbull also resigned from Government.

The Premier had previously said that with their resignation from the NDP, he would expect that they sit on the Opposition side of the House of Assembly.

All of these developments come just as Governor Augustus Jaspert has announced that General Elections are expected by April.

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