Former Grenadian PM ducks court appearance

Former Grenadian Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell failed to show up in court yesterday in the seven-year-old libel case against newspaper editor George Worme.



However, he has indicated his intention to discontinue the case.



The chief prosecutor, Inspector Vannie Curwen, said Mitchell had not been officially summoned to appear in court because he could not be found.



Inspector Curwen also explained that the file was not in the possession of the prosecution, but in the hands of former Director of Public Prosecutions and legal advisor to the Cabinet, Hugh Wildman, who has since left the country.



The matter has been adjourned until October 20 and Mitchell’s attorney, Dwight Horsford, said if his client is summoned he will show up to inform the court of his intention to discontinue with the proceedings.



The charge arose out of a letter published in the newspaper in which the author claimed bribery was responsible for Mitchell\'s New National Party victory in the election.



Worme has insisted that he will proceed to seek compensation against both Mitchell and Wildman for what he says is malicious prosecution.