This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7473243.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
UK to intensify Mugabe sanctions Mugabe knighthood to be withdrawn
(about 5 hours later)
The UK is preparing "intensified sanctions" against specific individuals in the regime of Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, Gordon Brown has said. Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe's honorary Knighthood is to be withdrawn by the Queen, the BBC has learned.
The PM said they would include travel and financial restrictions and extend to "the criminal cabal" trying to keep Mr Mugabe in power". Mr Mugabe, condemned over violence ahead of a presidential run-off election, was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in 1994.
The government is also working with the England Cricket Board to stop a Zimbabwe tour next year. Foreign Secretary David Miliband recommended to the Queen that he be stripped of the honour - and the Queen has approved that request.
David Cameron urged a full visa ban for Mr Mugabe and his officials. Ministers are also trying to block a Zimbabwe cricket tour next year.
The Commons exchanges came after the US announced it would not recognise the outcome of Friday's presidential election run-off in Zimbabwe. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has faced calls in the Commons for Mr Mugabe's honorary Knighthood to be withdrawn.
Peaceful transition call Human rights
Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has pulled out due to the violence, but Mr Mugabe says it will go ahead. Earlier this month, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg asked the prime minister: "What message does it send that a man who brought ruin and starvation to his country continues to be honoured by a knighthood from ours?"
We are preparing intensified sanctions, financial and travel sanctions, against named members of the Mugabe regime Gordon BrownPrime Minister But the government has been wary of playing into President Mugabe's claims that Africa is under siege from Britain - the former colonial power.
Mr Brown said the UK was ready to commit "substantial resources to Zimbabwe once democracy returns". His actions have proved beyond all argument that he is not worthy to retain this honour Foreign Office spokesman
He said he wanted a peaceful transition of power in Zimbabwe. However there has been growing international condemnation of Mr Mugabe's plans to go ahead with a presidential run-off vote on Friday, despite the withdrawal of the opposition because of violence and intimidation.
"We are preparing intensified sanctions, financial and travel sanctions, against named members of the Mugabe regime," he said. The United States has said it will not recognise the outcome of the election run-off and an emergency summit of southern African leaders has called for it to be postponed.
"We do know the names of the individuals who are surrounding Mugabe at the moment. 'Criminal cabal'
"We know the names, therefore, of the criminal cabal that is trying to keep him in power and we will name these individuals and these will be part of the next stage of the sanctions." A Foreign Office spokesman said on Wednesday the decision had now been taken to strip Mr Mugabe of his knighthood.
'Universal anger' "Our focus has been on improving the situation for ordinary Zimbabweans on the ground and it remains so," he said.
While he did "not want to do further damage" to the Zimbabwean people, "we will force through sanctions against the individuals that are part of the regime". "But we can no longer justify an individual who is responsible for a consistent campaign of human rights violations and the disregard for the democratic process retaining an honour."
Gordon Brown talks about Zimbabwe at PMQs
He added: "His actions have proved beyond all argument that he is not worthy to retain this honour."
The announcement came as Mr Brown prepares "intensified sanctions", including travel and financial restrictions, against "the criminal cabal" trying to keep Mr Mugabe in power.
Conservative leader David Cameron urged a full visa ban for Mr Mugabe and his officials, during exchanges with Mr Brown at prime minister's questions.
Mr Brown told MPs the UK was ready to commit "substantial resources to Zimbabwe once democracy returns".
While he did "not want to do further damage" to the Zimbabwean people, he said: "We will force through sanctions against the individuals that are part of the regime."
Mr Cameron said there was "universal anger" over the "stolen election" results and urged businesses and individuals who had any dealings with the president's regime to examine their consciences and not help to prop it up.Mr Cameron said there was "universal anger" over the "stolen election" results and urged businesses and individuals who had any dealings with the president's regime to examine their consciences and not help to prop it up.
Mr Brown agreed that businesses should "look at their involvement" in the troubled nation.Mr Brown agreed that businesses should "look at their involvement" in the troubled nation.
"I believe the whole world has woken up to the evils that are going on in Zimbabwe," he said."I believe the whole world has woken up to the evils that are going on in Zimbabwe," he said.
"What we want to see is an end to the violence and a peaceful transition in Zimbabwe - that's why the efforts of the African Union are so important.""What we want to see is an end to the violence and a peaceful transition in Zimbabwe - that's why the efforts of the African Union are so important."
Twenty 20 World Cup
Culture Secretary Andy Burnham is working with the England Cricket Board to halt Zimbabwe's cricket tour to England next year, he said.Culture Secretary Andy Burnham is working with the England Cricket Board to halt Zimbabwe's cricket tour to England next year, he said.
He urged other countries to help ban Zimbabwe from taking part in cricket's Twenty 20 World Cup being hosted by the UK next year.He urged other countries to help ban Zimbabwe from taking part in cricket's Twenty 20 World Cup being hosted by the UK next year.
"We want to ensure that Zimbabwe does not tour England next year," Mr Brown said.