Former Prime Minister to be flown overseas for medical treatment

ROSEAU (CMC):

Former Prime Minister Patrick St John, who was admitted to hospital here earlier this week, was expected to be flown to Martinique for further treatment yesterday.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit yesterday announced that the Government would assist the former prime minister.

John was initially admitted to the hospital on November 29 and discharged on December 30, 2015.

However, he was taken back to hospital on January 3 after he complained of a shortness of breath.

John, who has been diagnosed with a heart problem, served as premier after E.O. LeBlanc and then piloted the country into independence in 1978.

His stint as prime minister was short-lived and his Dominica Labour Party government was forced out of office following a public uprising in 1979.

John's administration was replaced by Dame Mary Eugenia's Dominica Freedom Party in the 1980 general election.

He was then involved in an attempt to overthrow the government of Charles and was jailed for 12 years.