Mugabe is stripped of knighthood as 'a mark of revulsion'

Published on Wednesday 25 June 2008 23:23

ROBERT Mugabe was last night stripped of his honorary knighthood over his "abuse of human rights" and "abject disregard" for democracy, the Foreign Office said.

The move comes as the Zimbabwean leader faces condemnation from around the world ahead of tomorrow's presidential run-off.

Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister, revealed yesterday he was seeking to block a Zimbabwe cricket tour of England planned for next year.

The Queen has approved the annulment of Mr Mugabe's knighthood, awarded in 1994, on the recommendation of David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "This action has been taken as a mark of revulsion at the abuse of human rights and abject disregard for the democratic process in Zimbabwe over which President Mugabe has presided."

Mr Mugabe is the first foreigner to be stripped of an honorary knighthood since the Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu in 1989, shortly before his execution.

The Foreign Office spokesman added:

"Mugabe's actions in the run-up to the second round of elections has demonstrated his total disregard for democracy and human rights.

"His actions have proved beyond all argument that he is not worthy to retain this honour."

Mr Mugabe's appointment as an honorary Knight Grand Cross in the Order of Bath occurred during his state visit to the UK in 1994.

Nigel Griffiths, the Labour MP who played a part in getting Edinburgh University to withdraw an honorary degree from Mugabe last year, said he was delighted that further pressure had led to him being stripped of his knighthood.

Mr Grifffiths added: "What we need from Mugabe is not that the honours should go but that he should go, and go quickly."