Straw's warning to Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe faces suspension from the Commonwealth as President Robert Mugabe today pushes through draconian laws curbing free speech and preventing political opposition.

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw warned that Britain would push for the country to be suspended if conditions continued to deteriorate. He said Zimbabwe's position "constituted a serious and persistent violation of the Commonwealth's political values and the rule of law".

He also condemned the increasing incident of political violence, "including deaths, occupation of property and the harassment of independent journalists".

Mr Mugabe was pushing a bill through the Harare parliament today which would allow him to jail journalists who practised "unethical journalism", who criticised the president or "caused despondency".

The bill would also enable ministers to veto journalists working for foreign media organisations. Another piece of legislation, the Public Order Bill, gives the government sweeping powers of arrest and detention.

In the past Mr Mugabe has been dismissive of warnings to throw Zimbabwe out of the Commonwealth. He recently said he would not "invite white men from the EU" to monitor elections.