Mr Rhodni Skelton (left) has held true to his promise that he would resign as Public Relations Officer of the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee (VIF&FC) if current Chairman Mr Marvin Blyden did not alter scathing reports about him in the VIF&FC’s annual report.

Virgin Islands News Online was also told that Mr Blyden has not been officially informed of the resignation.

The report, which was laid in the House of Assembly on November 15, 2012 by Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Myron V. Walwyn, blasted the Public Relations Officer and listed his role as a major challenge and disappointment. The report stated that, “the marketing for Festival 2012 was disappointing. The Public Relations Officer was not always available to discuss matters and at time when things were brought to his attention little or nothing was done.”

Mr Skelton, in a press statement shortly after the report was made public, said he was extremely disappointed, angry, shocked and blindsided by the recent media editorials, quoting the VI F&FC report as stating that he was "not always available to discuss matters and did little or nothing at times when things were brought to his attention."

The PRO had also stated he had since privately spoken to the Chairman and expressed his disappointment and has asked him to "right this wrong". He had also said he was now publicly calling on his Chairman to either stand behind his report or adjust it. 

"If, however, the Chairman sees it fit to adjust his report with regards to my performance, and make a public statement to this effect, then I will gladly and proudly continue to serve as PRO of the Festival & Fairs Committee until the end of my appointment," Mr Skelton had stated.

Mr Blyden, however, had stated that he would stand by his report and would not be pressured into tendering his resignation as Chairman. He had noted too that the report could not be changed as it was already a public document.

Some weeks ago Virgin Islands News Online had received reports that Mr Skelton had indeed resigned but when contacted he did not seem to take our inquiries well. “That is what you are calling me about? After all this time now you asking me that? Look I have nothing to tell you,” Mr Skelton said at the time.

Contacted today February 7, 2013 Mr Skelton said, “I really have no further comment. I really wish this would be allowed to die a natural death. It really is no story here. Let's allow the Festival to move forward positively and not allow any more negativity to plague the committee.”

He also said he wished the Committee the best as “we move forward towards our Grand 60th Celebrations! I thank the Minister for having faith in me and hope that the entire community will rally behind Mr Blyden and the committee and assist in every way possible...as I have committed to myself.”

Meanwhile, Mr Blyden, when contacted by Virgin Islands News Online to get a confirmation on the resignation said that to date he had not received any formal oral or written document to say that Mr Skelton had resigned. “I am told that he said that he sent his resignation to the Ministry but no one has sent me anything as yet.”

Mr Blyden added that from the best of his knowledge and based on unofficial information Mr Skelton had tendered his resignation sometime around December 2012 and January 2013.