Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness and senior members of the Jamaica Labour Party, JLP, are expressing condolence on the death of former attorney general, senate president, and party stalwart, Dr. Oswald ‘Ozzie’ Harding.

Harding passed away early Thursday morning. He was 90-years-old.

Mahiri Stewart has that story.

Oswald Harding held the distinction of being Jamaica’s longest-serving senator, having first been appointed in 1977 and serving continuously until 2002 before returning from 2007 to 2011.

He was also the first person to serve as senate president for two non-consecutive terms, from 1980 to 1984 and again from 2007 to 2011.

Dr Harding was appointed Minister of Justice in 1986 and also served as attorney general under the administration of Edward Seaga.

Dr. Harding was a member of the Order of Jamaica.

In his private life, Harding was a lawyer, rising to the rank of King’s Counsel. He was also an academician, earning a PhD in philosophy after retiring from politics.

He was a part-time senior lecturer in the Department of Language, Linguistics and Philosophy at the University of the West Indies, before taking on the role of Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Technology, Jamaica.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Holness described him as one of Jamaica’s most distinguished legal minds, parliamentarians and public servants.

Holness said Dr. Harding’s contribution to the development of Jamaica’s constitutional and democratic traditions will endure for generations.

The prime minister said the late former statesman was an enduring example of service anchored in honour, humility and excellence.

Meanwhile, JLP deputy leader Desmond McKenzie described Dr. Harding as a committed nation-builder who gave years of service to both the party and the country.

And current president of the Senate, Tom Tavares-Finson, also paid tribute to Harding on Thursday.

Oswald Gaskell Harding was born in Kingston on November 3, 1935. He leaves behind Marigold Harding, children and grandchildren.