Ambassador Dudley Thompson
Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has expressed deep sadness at the passing of Ambassador Dudley Joseph Thompson. Ambassador Thompson died Friday morning, one day after his 95th birthday. Mrs. Simpson Miller said she was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. Thompson, an outstanding Jamaican politician, diplomat and statesman, and a personal and dear friend for more than four decades.
Mrs. Simpson-Miller said Ambassador Thompsons passing is exceptionally painful for her, as it was only recently after her electoral victory, that he called with a most heart-warming congratulation. She further described Mr. Thompson as a man of firm convictions, articulate, sharp on his feet and witty, who loved his country with a passion and served it with honour and distinction.The Prime Minister also expressed profound condolences to his widow Cecile, children, grandchildren, and great grandchild.Born in Panama on January 19, 1917 to Daniel and Ruby Thompson, Dudley Thompson was a life member of the Peoples National Party, and was elected Chairman of the PNP in 1979. He was a PNP Senator during the years 1962- 1978, and was leader of Government Business in the House of Representatives in 1978. He served as Member of Parliament for St. Andrew Western in 1978 to 1983; Minister of National Security in 1978; Minister of Mining and Natural Resources from 1977 to 1978 and Minister of State, with the responsibility for Foreign Affairs from 1972-1975.
Dudley Thompson was Jamaica s Ambassador to Nigeria , Ghana , Sierra Leone , and Namibia .
He was also Jamaica s chief representative in the conference on the Law of the Sea and played a leading role in securing Jamaica as the permanent headquarters for the International Seabed Authority. He also introduced the Office of the Ombudsman to Jamaica . Ambassador Thompson practised law in Jamaica , East Africa, Dominica , the Bahamas , and Bermuda , and served as president of the Jamaican Bar Association.
He received his early education at the Mico Teacher Training College , was a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University in 1947, and later called to the bar at Grays Inn ( London ). A freedom fighter and Pan Africanist, he was a leading member of the team of lawyers who represented the former leader of Kenya , Jomo Kenyatta, in the 1950s. At the time of his death, Ambassador Thompson was the President of the World Africa Diaspora Union.