Letter to Rt Hon David Miliband MP, Secretary
of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, from the Chairman of
the Committee
ROBERT MUGABE
The Foreign Affairs Committee recommended in
2003 that "the Government take steps to strip Robert Mugabe
of all honours, decorations and privileges bestowed on him by
the United Kingdom" (Eighth Report of 2002-03, Zimbabwe,
HC 339, para 25).
In its reply, the Government stated that it
"has made it clear that removing Mugabe's honorary knighthood,
conferred on him in 1994, on the recommendation of the previous
government, is not our immediate priority. We may revisit this
question in the future" (Cm 5869, July 2003, p 3).
At its last meeting the Committee discussed
this matter. We concluded that, in the light of recent events
in Zimbabwe, it is more than ever inexcusable that Mr Mugabe should
retain his status as a recipient of British honours.
The Committee has asked me to write reminding
you of its previous recommendation and urging the Government now
to take the necessary action to strip Mr Mugabe "of all honours,
decorations and privileges bestowed on him by the United Kingdom".
25 April 2008
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