HOTEL mogul, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart yesterday described the late prime minister of St Lucia, Sir John Compton as “a politician of immense quality” and “one of the finest statesmen produced by the Caribbean”.

“He was a most extraordinary human being, and certainly the most humble human being with authority that I have ever met,” Stewart said in a tribute to Compton whom he named “as above all, a thoroughbred of a friend”.

Compton died last Friday night after a series of strokes at the age of 81. He was prime minister of the eastern Caribbean island in 1992 when Stewart opened his first hotel, the Sandals Grande St Lucia at Rodney Bay, following dredging by Jamaica’s Matalons. Sandals now operates a total of three hotels in St Lucia.

Last December, at age 80, Compton led his United Workers Party to victory in general elections and Stewart said that many people felt that his last efforts had saved the island and put it back on a quality path, both politically and economically.

“He was a true Caribbean man who lived a full and constructive life,” said Stewart. “He was of humble beginnings in the Grenadines, having been born in a little house that still stands today on the side of a hill. He became the father of the nation when he led St Lucia into Independence from Britain in 1979.”

Said Stewart: “I’m in shock because up to a year ago, he was the nimblest 80-year-old you could find. John Compton planted the richness of decency and integrity in everyone that he met. The entire region has lost a man who will be hard to replace. He has done so much for the Caribbean, starting with St Lucia.”

Stewart expressed condolences to Sir John’s widow, Janice and family, noting: “I suppose great men need great women and he was blessed with that. May his soul rest in peace.”