James Skinsale

Colonel James Skinsale was a MP in the early 20th century. He was on a boat trip together with Lord Palmerdale and Palmerdale's secretary Adelaide Lessage. The yacht crashed onto Fang Rock, but they managed to climb ashore. On the island they met The Fourth Doctor and Leela.

On the island there is also a Rutan. The Rutan later kills Colonel Skinsale.

He was being blackmailed by Palmerdale, he knew a secret that if made public would have ruined him. Skinsale was so determined to keep his secret he sabotaged the telegraph, the only communication the island had to the mainland.