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ST KITTS, November 30, 2021 – St Kitts and Nevis’ Leader of the Opposition, Dr Denzil Douglas has paid tribute to former St Vincent and the Grenadines prime minister Sir James Mitchell.Dr Douglas has extended condolences to the bereaved family and the Government and people of St Vincent and the Grenadines. “Although the demise of this son of the region closes the chapter on the contribution of those who pioneered the move towards independence for his beloved country, his legacy extends beyond the borders of his native country given his commitment to regionalism,” said Dr Douglas in the statement posted on his FaceBook page.Dr Douglas recalled his encounters and engagements during the early years of his tenure as Prime Minister and Sir James’ keen perspectives on regional development issues, including the possibilities of the agricultural sector as an expert in the field of agronomy. “St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the member states of the of Eastern Caribbean States [OECS] and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) will remember his laudable service during his 16-year tenure at the helm of Government in St Vincent and the Grenadines,” said Douglas. Sir James Fitz-Allen Mitchell, KCMG PC was born on 15 May, 1931 and died on 23 November 2021 at the age of 90.The Vincentian politician served as the second Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines from 1984 to 2000 and as Premier from 1972 to 1974.Mitchell became Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Foreign Affairs in July 1984 and was re-elected for a fourth successive term when his Party scored an 8–7 victory in the 1998 parliamentary elections.Mitchell retired as Prime Minister and NDP President in 2000 but stayed on as Senior Minister until 2001. Mitchell was also foreign minister from 1984 until 1992 and a Privy Councillor beginning in 1985.He served as the Chairman of the OECS Authority in 1988, 1995, and 1996. On 31 October 2021, Mitchell was admitted to Milton Cato Memorial Hospital in Saint Vincent due to multiple illnesses, including gallstone, kidney failure and an enlarged prostate. He was later diagnosed with dengue fever. He was then flown to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Bridgetown in Barbados for advanced medical treatment on 3 November 2021, and was additionally diagnosed with pneumonia.On 18 November 2021, he was transferred to Port Elizabeth Hospital in Bequia. He died there five days later, on 23 November, at the age of 90. Mitchell was the last living parliamentarian to have served at independence in 1979. The government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines announced three days of national mourning through 25 November, with flags flown at half-mast. A state funeral will be held at a later date.The OECS flag was flown at half-mast, while CARICOM and other regional leaders paid tributes to Mitchell