The Sunday Times has been passed a National Security Council document showing that Williamson was also determined to send British troops into action in Africa. He ordered military chiefs to draw up plans for intervention by the armed forces in at least five African countries, including Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Kenya and Egypt.
The paper was designed to support May’s Africa strategy of promoting peacekeeping and the protection of wild animals. However, Ministry of Defence officials say Williamson’s approach was to “find excuses to send troops”. “He wanted to invade Africa,” a military source said. “He made it clear that he was keen to send the troops in.”