Kenya hits out at British envoy

Kibaki's government says this is a spat with its ex-colonial master

Kenya may take "remedial measures" against the British high commissioner for failing to recognise President Mwai Kibaki's government, a minister says.

Adam Wood told a local TV station that Britain does not think the government represents the democratic will of the people following disputed elections.

But the foreign minister said Kenya did not need "the stamp of confirmation" from its former colonial masters.

Mediators hope a deal to end the post-poll crisis will be agreed soon.

At least 1,000 people were killed and more than 600,000 displaced during violence over the disputed presidential election results.

We do not find the government as presently constituted represents the democratic will of Kenyan people Adam Wood British high commissioner Not all roses for Kenya

The BBC's Karen Allen in the capital, Nairobi, says Kenya is keen to paint this as a diplomatic spat with its former colonial master, but other members of the international community have been loud in their criticism of the elections.

During an interview with the KTN news channel, Mr Wood repeated the position that the UK recognises states and not governments.

"Having seen the irregularities in the presidential elections documented by the whole range of the observer missions including the EU [European Union], we do not find the government as presently constituted represents the democratic will of Kenyan people," Mr Wood said.

This prompted Foreign Minister Moses Wetangula to issue a statement expressing his surprise at the envoy's remarks, which come after the British minister in charge of African affairs, Mark Malloch-Brown, held talks with President Kibaki during a recent visit.

He reminded the envoy that Kenya won independence from Britain 44 years ago, and the government did not need what he called the "nod or the stamp of confirmation" from the British, to reflect the will of Kenyans.

He also threatened "remedial measures", without saying what these would be.

News blackout

This is the second run-in between the two men over the issue.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to flee

Last month, Mr Wetangula summoned Mr Wood to complain after Foreign Office Minister Meg Munn said London did not recognise President Kibaki's government.

Meanwhile, talks to end the post-poll crisis being chaired by former UN chief Kofi Annan are continuing in a secret location outside Nairobi.

Both the opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and President Kibaki's Party of National Unity (PNU) have tabled proposals for a power-sharing agreement.

Earlier this week, Mr Annan called for a news blackout on the talks and said that at the appropriate time, he would release the outcome of discussions to the media.