After much speculation in Grenada over the last few weeks about the health of Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell, photographs were widely circulated on his return to the State last weekend in what appeared to be an attempt to dispel the speculation.
Photos appeared on his official Facebook page of him disembarking from an international flight at the Maurice Bishop International Airport (MBIA) without any assistance or visible sign of illness and carrying his own luggage with no security officials accompanying him.
Staunch supporters of the Prime Minister say he is fit and healthy and was returning home from vacation.
Three weeks ago the Press Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister had issued a statement which said that Dr. Mitchell was away on personal business and there was no mention of vacation when further inquiries were made with that office.
Shortly after the departure of Dr Mitchell, there was national speculation and concern that he was seriously ill but this was dismissed by political supporters of the Grenadian leader as fake news.
Even senior government officials had publicly condemned the speculations, though not in an official capacity.
There was a posting on the Social Media which indicated that Prime Minister Mitchell had fallen ill and was airlifted out of the island by an Air Ambulance.
Over the two weeks that the Prime Minister was out of State, there was no official comment from the government regarding the rumours of ill health.
In the photos posted last Saturday, the Prime Minister is seen walking off the plane carrying a bag and newspapers.
In the past, Dr. Mitchell has not been seen or photographed carrying his own luggage.
The Prime Minister‘s official social media page also posted photos of him meeting with his Press Secretary and Acting Commissioner of Police Edvin Martin on his return.
In the post, he announced that he is back from vacation and that his first order of business was the meeting with his security and press officials.
He was also seen at the Police annual sports meet later in the day.
The avalanche of publicity photos could have been an attempt to quell romours that Dr Mitchell was abroad for medical attention, however there has been no credible information to suggest that he was actually unwell.
Both Works Minister Gregory Bowen and Education Minister, Emmalin Pierre acted as Prime Minister at different times during Dr Mitchell’s two-week absence from the island.