Sir James Mitchell, the second prime minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, died on Tuesday, his family has confirmed. He was 90 years old.
His death has brought to an end an era in the history of the country since he had been last surviving parliamentarian at the time when the island gained political independence from Britain on October 27, 1979.
“We are saddened to hear the news that the founder of the New Democratic Party (NDC) Sir James Mitchell has passed away. He was one of the founding fathers of our nation and served as the second Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines from 1984 to 2000, as well as premier to St Vincent and the Grenadines from 1972 to 1974,” the NDC said in a statement following the announcement of his death.
“During his time serving our nation, he achieved huge amounts in steering St Vincent and the Grenadines in the right direction, by providing economic stability and improving housing across our islands. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) once said of his economic leadership ‘there’s much to please and little to fault’.
“Sir James is undoubtedly to be credited for numerous developments in our country. He was the embodiment of a true statesman and a nation builder. Sir James was much loved by everybody that knew him and we pray for his family during this difficult time. May he rest in peace,” the party added in the statement.
Sir James, who was popularly known as “Son Mitchell,” died five days after being discharged from the Intensive Care Unit of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in Barbados, where he had been taken after falling ill at his home in Bequia, on October 30.
Source-Nation News
