GRANTING OF A UK VISA TO THE ZIMBABWEAN CRICKET REPRESENTATIVE TO THE ICC

Early day motion 1760, tabled 25 June 2007 by Lord Foster of Bath (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 51 members.

That this House notes with concern the decision to grant a UK visa to Peter Chingoka, Chairman of Zimbabwe Cricket, by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; further notes that Peter Chingoka's travel to the UK is contrary to the spirit of the agreed EU Council common position 2007/120/CFSP; recognises that a failure to impose a travel ban on Peter Chingoka will not only run contrary to the aforementioned EU common position but also undermine the UK's credibility in diplomatic efforts to isolate leading members of the Mugabe regime; regrets that this decision appears to have been taken contrary to the British Embassy in Harare's advice to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; urges the Government to consider the principle of the EU's common position and overturn the decision to grant Peter Chingoka a visa; and deplores the continued failure of the Mugabe regime to respect fundamental human rights and democratic principles.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 25, Labour 16, Conservative 5, DUP 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, UUP 1.