GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Sept 14, CMC – Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary General, Irwin La Rocque, Wednesday described the former Montserrat chief minister, Bertrand Osborne as a person of “integrity, honesty and trustworthiness”.

Osborne, who served as chief minister of the volcano-ravaged British Overseas Territory for a nine month period in the 1990’s, died last Tuesday. He was 83 year-old.

Osborne, a prominent businessman, served as chief minister from November 1996 to August 1997. He resigned after he came under severe criticism from politicians and demonstrators alike for being too pro-British, and for failing to negotiate firmly enough with London over an aid package after the eruption of the Soufriere volcano.

In a condolence message sent to Premier Donaldson Romeo,  La Rocque lauded Osborne’s dedication to politics and the private sector, noting that his “heightened sense of social responsibility will long be remembered in his native land.

“He will be remembered for his integrity, honesty and trustworthiness which has been acknowledged by all regardless of political affiliation. The Community extends its condolences to his wife Lystra, his children and the entire Osborne family and the Government and people of Montserrat,” La Rocque added.

No details have been given regarding Osborne’s death and the state-owned ZJB Radio said that he had served in the Legislative Council for 14 years.