Crossword Genius

Heath, say: I permit miners to roam (5,8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

prime minister

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'heath' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how they can define each other.

'i permit miners to roam' is the wordplay.
'to roam' indicates anagramming the letters (I've seen 'roaming' mean this).
'i'+'permit'+'miners'='ipermitminers'
'ipermitminers' with letters rearranged gives 'PRIME MINISTER'.

'say' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for prime minister that I've seen before include "May" , "North, for instance" , "Law once in UK" , "PM" , "Head of government" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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