Former Grenada PM’s wife in diplomatic passport row

It said the matter is further compounded by the fact that the diplomatic passport in question describes the holder of the document as the “spouse of the Prime Minister”. (File photo)

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, December 9, 2009 – The wife of former Grenadian Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell is now at the centre of a controversy over the use of a diplomatic passport.

Marietha Dian Mitchell has been told to return the document which she no longer has the privilege to use.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Ministry of National Security said it was concerned that despite the many official notices and substantial public discussion and debate on the issue of persons holding diplomatic passports, Mrs Mitchell has failed to surrender the one issued to her by the previous administration.

She is alleged to have used it as recently as November 27th, while travelling on personal business.
 
“It is even more disturbing that Mrs Mitchell refused to surrender the document when requested to do so by the Immigration Officer at the Maurice Bishop International Airport…citing the need to use the diplomatic passport to facilitate her return to Grenada,” the ministry statement said. “It should be noted that at the time Mrs Mitchell was traveling on her United States passport.”

Following the change in administration on July 8th 2008, official notices were published in the Government Gazette and in the electronic and print media, requesting holders of official and diplomatic passports, to submit them to the Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office.
 
The ministry pointed out that it is not the norm for the spouse of the Leader of the Opposition to be granted a diplomatic passport.

It said the matter is further compounded by the fact that the diplomatic passport in question describes the holder of the document as the “spouse of the Prime Minister”.
 
“Whilst it is generally known, it must be made absolutely clear that Mrs Marietha Dian Mitchell is not the wife of Prime Minister Tillman J Thomas, and as such the decision by Mrs Mitchell to continue to use the diplomatic passport, amounts to impersonation,” said the Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Richard Simon.
 
“It is important that Mrs Mitchell follow the legal requirement and surrender the document which, as with all diplomatic and official passports, are kept in the possession of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs until it has to be used by the holder, while undertaking official duties,” he added.