‘We’re so sorry’: Govt says will issue apology for Masele’s anti-UK rant

Government owes Ms Melrose and the United Kingdom an apology for Masele's recent diplomatic gaffe, says Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda. PHOTO | AFP 

By Sammy Awami and Sylivester Ernest, The Citizen

• Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda is to formally issue a statement in Parliament clearing British High Commissioner Dianna Melrose of accusations that she engaged in undiplomatic behaviour.

inSha

Dar es Salaam. Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda is to formally issue a statement in Parliament clearing British High Commissioner Dianna Melrose of accusations that she engaged in undiplomatic behaviour.

Investigations into the sensational claims by Energy and Minerals deputy minister Stephen Masele had absolved the envoy of any wrongdoing, Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Bernard Membe said yesterday.

The government owes Ms Melrose and the United Kingdom an apology for the diplomatic spat, he added, and the PM would issue a statement on the matter before the end of the budget session in Dodoma.

He was speaking on Wednesday night at the High Commissioner’s residence in Dar es Salaam during celebrations to mark the birthday of Queen Elizabeth II.

While he was in London last week, Mr Membe expressed the government’s disappointment with Mr Masele’s outburst.

“Government security organs carried out an investigation into the allegations and I want to make it clear that the High Commissioner did not violate the Vienna Convention or any accord,” said the minister, who was flanked by Ms Melrose.

Late last month, Mr Masele said the envoy had tried to influence other development partners to cut aid to Tanzania, which amounted to abusing her diplomatic immunity.

The move supposedly came after a decision by the ministry, the Treasury and the Bank of Tanzania to release $122 million (Sh201 billion) from an escrow account to Pan African Power Solutions Tanzania Ltd (PAP).

Mr Masele claimed Ms Melrose held meetings with civil society organisations and other donor countries in an attempt to sabotage the state after the falling-out between IPTL and Standard Chartered Bank of UK.

The deputy minister vowed that she would be taken to task for behaviour supposedly aimed at undermining the sovereignty of the country and its government. He went further to suggest she could be kicked out.

In May, Ms Melrose was quoted in the press confirming that UK was closely monitoring the saga involving the controversial sale of IPTL to PAP and the manner in which the escrow billions were withdrawn to facilitate the deal.

She said the IPTL issue was of “great concern” to the British government. This was in reference to the fact that Standard Chartered Bank was party to a case in the International Arbitration Court over the IPTL takeover.