Barbados Prime Minister receives medical treatment

Barbadian Prime Minister David Thompson is to proceed immediately on two months leave, pending the outcome of further medical tests abroad.



The prime minister, who has been in and out of office for the past six weeks, made the disclosure at a press briefing yesterday, shortly before departing the island.



Thompson says he’s not ruling out the need for surgery at this time.

In the meantime, the Attorney General Freundel Stuart has been designated to act as prime minister in Thompson’s absence from the country.



The 48-year-old lawyer took over the mantle of leadership in Barbados two years ago following elections won by the Democratic Labour Party (DLP).



However, in recent weeks his state of health has been a matter of national concern with the prime minister appearing to have shed significant weight.



He had earlier admitted that he had been experiencing significant stomach pains since March.