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Quote: 'Death threat' against UK official in Zimbabwe By Paul Willis and agencies Last Updated: 4:44pm BST 03/04/2007 Halt our suffering, Tsvangirai asks South Africa A threatening comment against a British embassy staff member in Zimbabwe warning her that she could face being returned to the UK “in a body bag” if she wasn’t careful has been condemned by the Foreign Office. Morgan Tsvangirai appealed to President Mbeki to halt the suffering of millions of Zimbabweans The apparent death threat appeared in an article in the state-controlled newspaper, The Herald, accusing British political officer Gillian Dare of financing an alleged campaign of violence and terrorism by the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). In an article on the newspaper's leader page, David Samuriwo wrote: "It will be a pity for her family to welcome her home at Heathrow airport in a body bag just like some of her colleagues from Iraq and Afghanistan." A spokesman for the Foreign Office described the comments as "shocking and absolutely unacceptable”. The spokesman said the Permanent Under Secretary had summoned the Zimbabwean ambassador to his offices to express Britain’s concerns. The spokesman said: "She (Ms Hare) was pursuing entirely legitimate activities as a member of the embassy…He (the Permanent Under Secretary) emphasised that we hold the Zimbabwean authorities responsible for protecting our diplomats just as we provide protection for the Zimbabwean mission staff in London." advertisementThe threats, which also accused Ms Dare of playing “night nurse to arrested MDC hooligans", are the strongest yet against a Western diplomat during a period of escalating political unrest in the country. Zimbabwe’s state media has made much of the presence of Western diplomats at court appearances and news conferences for opposition activists, including Morgan Tsvangirai, the MDC leader who suffered bone fractures, back wounds and internal injuries after a prayer meeting was brutally crushed by police in Harare. President Robert Mugabe threatened recently to expel US Ambassador Christopher Dell and other Western envoys for criticising the government and allegedly giving financial support to opposition activists pushing for "regime change" in Zimbabwe. Mr Tsvangirai appealed to President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa yesterday to intervene to "halt the suffering" of millions in his homeland. "There is no time to waste. The people of Zimbabwe need food and jobs, they need freedom and help." Mr Mbeki was chosen by southern African leaders last week to lead mediation efforts between Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai after a month of attacks on opposition figures in Zimbabwe.