Police admit to ‘errors’ in MI6 spy death probe

POLICE chiefs apologised yesterday for ‘administrative errors’ during investigations into the mysterious death of an MI6 spy found in a holdall.

They said it was responsible for giving a coroner three names for the same witness ahead of the inquest into the death of Gareth Williams.

When the hearing gets under way, Elizabeth Guthrie is expected to be questioned about her contact with Mr Williams in the months before his death

Coroner Dr Fiona Wilcox had told a pre-inquest review last week that ‘there has been some confusion’ over her identity.

The Metropolitan Police Service said yesterday it ‘would like to make it clear that Miss Guthrie has assisted the police investigation at every stage.

‘Regarding the issue of the spelling of her name, the MPS would also like to clarify this was not caused by Miss Guthrie but was a result of administrative errors when her statements were taken.’

She had been listed as Miss Gunther, Misa Guseiri and Elizabeth Guthrie in statements sent to Westminster Coroner’s Court.

The force had already revealed that a key line of its inquiries had been an 18-month DNA mix-up.

Forensic teams mistakenly flagged up a spot of DNA on Mr Williams’s hand in 2010, before realising two weeks ago that it matched a scientist on the crime scene, the force told the review.

His family believe secret agents specialising in the ‘dark arts’ hold the key to solving the death riddle. They believe a third party was present when Mr Williams died, or broke into his home afterwards to destroy evidence.

The inquest is due to begin on April 23.