(Barbados Nation) KINGSTOWN – The St Vincent and the Grenadines government yesterday expressed condolences to the family of Sir James Mitchell, the country’s second prime minister, who died here at the age of 90.
A statement issued by the Office of the Prime Minister said that “as a mark of respect, all flags throughout the State will be flown at half-mast from Tuesday, November 23, 2021 to Thursday, November 25, 2021, and on the day of the funeral.
“Sir James will be accorded a State Funeral, details of which will be provided in a subsequent announcement,” the statement said.
Sir James, who had represented the Northern Grenadines constituency for more than 33 years, served as prime minister from 1984 to 2000. He also served as Premier from 1972 to 1974 and was the founder and president of the main opposition New Democratic Party (NDP).
“The Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines takes this opportunity to extend sincere condolences to the family of the late Sir James Fitz-Allen Mitchell,” the statement said.
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.
He was initially diagnosed, in Bequia, as having a gallstone, but was brought to the capital, Kingstown, where doctors said he had an infection.