Mugabe stripped of knighthood

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

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has revealed that he is seeking to block a Zimbabwe cricket tour of England planned for next year.

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

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 Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu in 1989, the day before his execution.

The move follows growing calls for Mr Mugabe to have the honour removed. Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch Brown has previously insisted that now was not the right time.

The Foreign Office spokesman said: "Our focus has been on improving the situation for ordinary Zimbabweans on the ground and it remains so. 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.

"As international and regional leaders have said, 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.