PM attacks Mugabe's 'power abuse'

Gordon Brown described Robert Mugabe's regime as "criminal"

Gordon Brown has attacked Robert Mugabe's "obscene abuse of power" ahead of presidential voting in Zimbabwe.

Speaking at an EU summit in Brussels, the prime minister condemned a "criminal cabal" surrounding the Zimbabwean president.

Mr Brown said: "The eyes of the world are on Zimbabwe. People should be horrified by what is happening to opposition candidates."

Sanctions against the regime will not be strengthened, EU leaders decided.

Violence has risen in the country ahead of the 27 June presidential run-off - leading to calls for increased international action.

This is a blatant and obscene abuse of power by a criminal cabal surrounding Mugabe Gordon Brown

At present, members of the Zimbabwean government regime are banned from EU-related travel in the 27 member states.

On the sanctions question, Mr Brown said: "We have reserved the right to look at this again. Our basic concern is that the election should be free and fair and action must be taken to stop the violence now."

The prime minister added: "State TV has stopped any pretence of balanced coverage, the opposition is intimidated and its secretary-general under arrest.

"This is a blatant and obscene abuse of power by a criminal cabal surrounding Mugabe. It is a criminal regime."