UK satirist awaits fate in Zambia

Clarke said he was enjoying freedom of expression

A British writer has challenged his deportation from Zambia for allegedly insulting the president.

Roy Clarke had compared President Levy Mwanawasa to a "foolish elephant" in a satirical newspaper column.

While his appeal was being heard, supporters of Mr Clarke clashed with ruling party activists outside the High Court.

The BBC's Penny Dale in Lusaka says some 300 of Mr Clarke's supporters arrived at court wearing white T-shirts, on which the controversial article in The Post newspaper had been reprinted.

But then a minibus arrived with ruling party militants, shouting: "We're here because of that stupid writer from Britain, that Roy Clarke, he insulted our president."

They ripped up some of the T-shirts before police fired teargas to disperse them.

Not vindictive

Judge Philip Musonda said he would deliver his judgement in about 40 days.

Earlier this month the High Court ordered the authorities not to deport Mr Clarke until his case has been decided by the courts.

Mr Clarke is married to a Zambian women's rights activist and has permanent residency.

Zambian Home Affairs Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha had originally given Mr Clarke 24 hours to leave the country.

He said they were not seeking to deport Mr Clarke vindictively but because it was wrong for him to insult the people of Zambia by referring to the president and government ministers as animals.