FOREIGN

Secretary Boris Johnson boasts that Britain is a strong supporter of freedom and democracy.

Sadly, I hear deeply alarming reports that our ambassador in Zimbabwe, Catriona Laing, is too supportive of Robert Mugabe’s successor as president, Emmerson Mnangagwa.

This matters greatly because elections are due in Zimbabwe in July and it is essential that Britain should be evenhanded in its approach to all political parties.

Next week, opposition leader Nelson Chamisa is due in London. Mr Johnson must meet him to show that Britain doesn’t endorse Mnangagwa’s dictatorial regime.