Straw urges cricketers to boycott Zimbabwe

Jack Straw urged the English cricket team not to tour Zimbabwe this autumn yesterday as he gave the sport's governing body a stark account of human rights abuses and political repression under President Robert Mugabe.

In the strongest statement yet of government concern at the proposed tour, the Foreign Secretary outlined the deteriorating economic and political situation in the country. In a letter to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) he said Zimbabwe was facing increasing international isolation and sanctions. "You may wish to consider whether a high-profile England cricket tour is consistent with that approach," he said.

Mr Straw referred to the controversy about last year's Cricket World Cup when England pulled out of a match in Harare at the last minute amid security fears. Mr Straw said: "It is the Government's view that the overall situation in Zimbabwe is worse today than it was during the Cricket World Cup last year."

The ECB welcomed the advice, but postponed its decision for a month to consider the "legal, financial and cricketing implications of a possible postponement".

In his letter, which came after weeks of meetings between Foreign Office officials and the ECB, Mr Straw insisted that the cricketing authorities had the final say on whether the tour would go ahead. But he said: "I draw your attention to the appalling human rights situation in Zimbabwe and the resulting isolation of that country's government by the international community.

"The situation in Zimbabwe is bleak, and is deteriorating. Political repression remains a daily reality for many Zimbabweans, particularly those who are active in civil society, the independent media or opposition politics. Hunger is widespread largely as a result of the disastrous policies of the Zimbabwe regime. This would be the background to any sports tour taking place in Zimbabwe this year."

Mr Straw's comments contradicted the chairman-in-office of the Commonwealth, the Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who said sporting links could help break through the "frostiness" of the political situation in the southern African state.

Tim Lamb, the ECB chief executive, welcomed the Government's advice. He said: "The decision the management board will have to take is a very difficult one and involves balancing a whole range of factors. Obviously the Government's explicit view on the tour will be carefully considered and we are pleased to have it."

Senior ECB figures will meet next week to consider a detailed report by Des Wilson, chairman of the ECB corporate affairs committee, arguing that humanitarian issues should be considered when deciding whether future tours take place. The ECB board will meet again at the end of February to take a final decision.