Brown will ban Zimbabwe tour

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

In an historic change of policy, a government insider said: "Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe needs to be given clear signals from all quarters that his regime is unacceptable. We have to stand up and be counted."

Zimbabwe were due to play two Tests and three one-day internationals next summer.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (EWCB) would have to pay an estimated £225,000 compensation for cancelling the one-day fixtures under International Cricket Council (ICC) rules.

But because Zimbabwe is no longer officially classified as a Test-playing nation, there would be no penalty for scrapping the five-day international fixtures.

It is understood that talks between the ICC, the EWCB and the Zimbabwean authorities have already taken place, with a view to cancelling the tour.

Mr Brown's spokesman said today: "I think that it's very early to be making these sorts of decisions.

"We obviously will need to discuss this with the EWCB closer to the time. A decision will have to be made about this at some point but we are not at that point at the moment."

The EWCB is avoiding fuelling speculation about the tour, while the negotiations continue.

Mr Brown refused to attend an EU-Africa summit last month, because Mr Mugabe was present, and has consistently taken a higher-profile stance on denouncing the Mugabe regime than his predecessor Tony Blair.

In 2004 England pressed ahead with a chaotic and controversial tour of Zimbabwe after Mr Blair said he was opposed to it, but was powerless to stop it.