Bertrand Osborne, who served as chief minister of the volcano-ravaged British Overseas Territory for a nine month period in the 1990’s, died 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.
The British government had pledged to pay the equivalent of six months’ average salary to Montserrat residents who flee the volcano-devastated island for another Caribbean island and many citizens accused Osborne of being too weak in his dealings with the British government. He was replaced by attorney David Brandt.
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.
He is survived by his wife and two children.
