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with its new ambassador to Zimbabwe Ms Deborah Bronnert defending the practice as a “modern” trend.
This is despite the widespread condemnation of gay relations, which are alien to the African culture and an abomination to the Christian community.
Britain’s foreign policy came under scrutiny recently when its Prime Minister David Cameron announced that his government would not extend aid to countries that do not respect homosexuality in their statutes.
However, when journalists pinned down Ms Bronnert over the issue at a Press conference in Bulawayo, she tried to be diplomatic and claimed the issue had no impact on Zimbabwe.
But she affirmed Britain’s support for gay relations.
President Mugabe is on record as saying gays and lesbians are worse than dogs and pigs.
“The United Kingdom advocates for the respect of human rights that includes minority rights which covers sexual orientation,” said Ms Bronnert.
“Modern constitutions even some in Africa respect that. In Zimbabwe, the UK works with the Government and this issue has no impact on the aid we give to this country.”
The British government is accused of working closely with the MDC-T to effect regime change in Zimbabwe and to ultimately protect homosexuality.
Ms Bronnert flatly denied the accusations and said her government was prepared to work with any political party elected into power.
The MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai in a bid to please his masters in the West recently came out in support of homosexuality in an interview with BBC, a scenario analysts have described as a desperate attempt to get funding from the West.
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This is despite his earlier statements where he rallied behind President Mugabe in condemning the practice.
Ms Bronnert could not come out in the open on the issue of the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the West at the instigation of Britain and her allies. “We will review the targeted measures at the European summit next year when there is substantial progress in the implementation of the Global Political Agreement (GPA),” she said.
Ms Bronnert acknowledged progress in economic growth and stability brought by the inclusive Government.
She pledged to work tirelessly to restore cordial bilateral relations between Zimbabwe and Britain.
The relations between the two countries turned sour when Zimbabwe embarked on the historic land reform programme.
This was after the Tony Blair administration failed to honour the Lancaster House Agreement under which Britain had made an undertaking to finance the land redistribution exercise by paying compensation to white farmers.
Ms Bronnert said her country was spending $130 million annually on development programmes in Zimbabwe.
She said that an additional $2 million has been set aside for the rehabilitation of Mpilo Central Hospital, the United Bulawayo Hospitals and Masvingo Provincial Hospital and promised that another $150 million
would be extended to Zimbabwe next year.
Early in the day Ms Bronnert visited Edith Duly Old People’s home in North End suburb where she presented an award from the Queen of England to Ms Mary Brewster (85).
Ms Brewster received a Member of the British Empire (MBE) award after serving the centre as a matron for 22 years.
Ms Bronnert arrived in Zimbabwe in August this year and presented her credentials to President Mugabe in September.
Online Reporter