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The Herald on Monday reported that British intelligence operative Mr Charles Heatly (also known as Charles Beatle) had helped establish parallel government structures in the Prime Minister’s Office.
Mr Tsvangirai is PM in the inclusive Gover-nment.
Ambassador Mark Canning yesterday said he was aware that Mr Heatly/Beatle was in Zimbabwe under a special scheme managed by Adam Smith International.
Adam Smith International is packaged as a development agency funded by the British government but is understood to work as a think-tank for the UK Foreign and Common-wealth Office and that country’s overseas intelligence service, MI6. Ambassador Canning said Mr Tsvangirai had asked Britain to assist him with “technical” personnel. Ambassador Canning said Mr Tsvangirai had asked Britain to assist him with “technical” personnel.
“He (Heatly/Beatle) is doing his job for the purpose he was hired for. Adam Smith International is a renowned British think-tank that provides consultancy work and technical advice.
“He came at the request of Prime Minister Tsvangirai who wanted technical support on individual ministries,” said Ambassador Canning.
Ambassador Canning was speaking at a media briefing at the embassy.
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The head of the British Department for International Development, Mr Dave Fish, said Adam Smith International was providing technical expert advice to the PM’s Office.
On Monday The Herald reported that Heatly/Beatle entered Zimbabwe last year and briefly worked from Munhumutapa Building.
Thereafter, he is understood to have worked from MDC-T’s offices in Avondale.
Sources said he had worked in countries where Britain had a regime change agenda such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Kenya and Myan-mar.
Political analyst and legislator for Tsholo-tsho North Professor Jonathan Moyo said the presence of British intelligence officers in the PM’s Office was a matter that the other principals to the Global Political Agreement should take up with Sadc.-The Herald
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