Official funeral for former MP and state minister Leslie Campbell set for today

SEVERAL Government ministers, business leaders, and members of the legal profession are expected to turn out today to pay respect to former state minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Leslie Roy Campbell during his official funeral. The service will be held at Fellowship Tabernacle, 2 Fairfield Avenue, Kingston 20, starting at 10:00 am.

In announcing that Campbell, the former Member of Parliament for St Catherine North Eastern, would be accorded an official funeral, the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) said this was in recognition of his distinguished service to the nation and his enduring contribution to public life.

According to OPM, Campbell — who passed away on Sunday, May 3, at the age of 67 following a period of illness — dedicated his professional and political life to national development and the advancement of the Jamaican people.

A respected attorney-at-law and public servant, Campbell served in several important capacities, including minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, senator, chairman of the Sports Development Foundation, and deputy treasurer of the Jamaica Labour Party.

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness said Campbell’s contribution to Jamaica reflected a deep commitment to service and country.

“Leslie Campbell served Jamaica with humility, professionalism, and dedication throughout his years in public life. He made a meaningful contribution to national development, particularly through his work in Parliament, foreign affairs, and Diaspora engagement, and will be remembered as a committed and principled leader,” said Holness.

The prime minister pointed out that during Campbell’s tenure with responsibility for Diaspora Affairs, he played a leading role in strengthening Jamaica’s engagement with Jamaicans overseas, advancing the National Diaspora Policy, and supporting the work of the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council and the Global Jamaica Diaspora Youth Council.

He also helped to guide key international and virtual engagements during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the Diaspora Sustainability Symposium and the Jamaica 60 Diaspora Conference.

“The Government honours Mr Campbell as a distinguished son of Jamaica whose legacy of service, dignity, and compassion will endure,” said Holness as he extended “sincere condolences to relatives, friends, colleagues, and all those mourning his passing”.