Sir Richard Branson 'led plot to remove Mugabe'

Virgin boss apparently launched a plot to persuade Mugabe to stand down

Sir Richard Branson was joined by Nelson Mandela (centre) and former US President Jimmy Carter (right) for the launch of the group

Elders group from left to right: Activist Peter Gabriel, Professor Muhammad Yunus, former President of Ireland Mary Robinson, former Secretary General of the U.N. Kofi Annan, Nelson Mandela, Jimmy Carter, Archbishop Desmont Tutu and Richard Branson

Sir Richard Branson funded a secret project to try to secure the end of Robert Mugabe's regime in Zimbabwe, leaked diplomatic cables have revealed.An international initiative founded by the 61-year-old Virgin boss apparently launched a plot to persuade the tyrant to stand down.
Details of the covert plan were revealed in an American diplomatic message sent to Washington in July 2007 from the US embassy in South Africa.
The document, written by America's then-ambassador to South Africa Eric Bost, revealed how Sir Richard agreed to meet in Johannesburg to discuss the scheme with a group of former African statesmen.
The British entrepreneur is well known as one of the founders of the 'Elders' organisation which brings together respected former presidents to help tackle global crises.
However, Mr Bost's confidential memo is the first indication that the group had ever plotted to help directly instigate regime change.
In the memo, which has been published by Wikileaks, Mr Bost wrote: "UK businessman Richard Branson is bankrolling an African 'Elders' initiative to convince Zimbabwean President Mugabe to step down. 
"The 'Elders' plan to meet secretly in Johannesburg July 17 to 18 with Branson to discuss their initiative.
"Former Presidents Nelson Mandela (South Africa), Sam Nujoma (Namibia), Kenneth Kaunda (Zambia), Jerry Rawlings (Ghana), Joaquim Chissano (Mozambique), Daniel Arap Moi (Kenya) and Ketumile Masire (Botswana) have reportedly agreed to participate."  

The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, left, meeting with Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe at the State House in Harare, Zimbabwe, yesterday

It continued: "Former Mugabe Information Minister Jonathan Moyo is working with Branson on the plan. 
"Moyo reached out to Branson, who owns Virgin Atlantic airline as well as a game lodge and chain of gyms in South Africa, in early June to suggest the involvement of the former African leaders. 
"Branson agreed to fund the initiative, including Moyo's travel and technical assistance."
The leaked cable reported that the group's planned meeting in Johannesburg in July 2007 would be attended by former United Nations secretary general Kofi Annan.
Bost said America's former president Jimmy Carter would also be present, although he added it was 'not clear if he will be involved in the Zimbabwe discussion'.
Sir Richard joined former South African president Mandela in 2007 at the launch of the Elders group.
The organisation stated then that its aim was to use the influence of retired statesmen to tackle some of the world's problems.
The group's supposed plan to try to persuade Mugabe to stand down came during a period of heightened tensions in Zimbabwe.
In 2007 the dictator unleashed a wave of violence against his political opponents ahead of elections due the following year.