Former Prime Minister of Barbados, Rt Hon Owen Arthur has died

The Right Honourable Owen Seymour Arthur, former prime minister of Barbados has passed away.

He died at 12.26 am today (July 27) after a short stay at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. He was 70 years old.

As the then leader of the Barbados Labour Party Arthur led the country for three consecutive terms: September 6, 1994 to January 20, 1999; January 20, 1999 to May 21, 2003; and from May 21, 2003 to January 15, 2008.

Colin Jordan, the member of parliament for St Peter, which was Arthur's former constituency, will be the coordinating minister for the funeral arrangements.

In a statement from the Government Information Service, the Government of Barbados extended its sincerest condolences to Arthur's wife Julie, his daughters Leah and Sabrina and his extended family.