Davey: Mugabe's award undermines our honours system

Tuesday, 03, Jun 2008 12:00

Edward Davey, Lib Dem foreign spokesman, comments on the possibility of Robert Mugabe having his knighthood revoked:

"It is frankly obscene that Robert Mugabe, the man who laid waste to a country once known as 'the bread basket of Africa', should attend the UN food summit. Yet he still holds an honour reserved by our country for those who have made only the highest service to the public good.

"Mugabe's award undermines our honours system. He should be stripped of his knighthood as soon as possible. That way the British people can show solidarity with those who would like to see a new beginning in Zimbabwe.

"The permanent secretary has now informed me that the decision to revoke the knighthood lies squarely at the feet of David Miliband and Gordon Brown.

"Due to his position as a head of state, Mugabe may be allowed to walk the streets of Rome with impunity, but there is no reason on earth why he should do so as an honorary British knight."