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21/01/2004
Ancram calls for cricket tour to Zimbabwe to be scrapped
Senior Tory Michael Ancram has called for the England cricket team's tour of Zimbabwe this summer to be scrapped, as a protest at "human rights abuses" carried out by the Mugabe regime.
The Tories made the call following the publication of a report designed to offer guidelines on ECB overseas tours. The 17-page report by Des Wilson, chairman of the ECB's corporate affairs committee, highlighted the moral questions to be considered when planning tours to certain countries.
The ECB has said that the Wilson paper suggests a "framework for rational decision-making in relation to reviewing overseas cricket tours". The paper has been submitted to ECB's Management Board (MB) members ahead of their next meeting on January 29.
However, the Shadow Foreign Secretary said today that it would be "a disgrace" if the tour were to go ahead as planned.
The decision on touring remains with the ECB, but Mr Ancram criticised Foreign Secretary Jack Straw for his "inadequate response" to the issue.
“If he had any compassion for the people of Zimbabwe, Jack Straw would end the confusion and put a stop to this tour now rather than risk a repeat of the shambles surrounding last year’s World Cup,” said Mr Ancram.
Liberal Democrat Shadow Culture, Media and Sport Secretary, Don Foster, also voiced his hope that the ECB would cancel the tour.
"After Robert Mugabe's withdrawal from the Commonwealth, the moral case against the tour is even stronger than it was last year," he said.
"The clear guidelines proposed in this report will hopefully put an end to the damaging indecision we saw in the World Cup last year."
In a tersely worded statement issued today, the ECB described reports that the tour will be cancelled as "premature".
The ECB stated: "If the [Wilson] paper is adopted by the MB as a basis for decision-making, the criteria contained within the paper will be applied to the decision as to whether or not the ECB decides to send the England cricket team to tour Zimbabwe in October this year.
"It should be stressed that this decision is for the MB to take – and no-one else."
(gmcg)
The Tories made the call following the publication of a report designed to offer guidelines on ECB overseas tours. The 17-page report by Des Wilson, chairman of the ECB's corporate affairs committee, highlighted the moral questions to be considered when planning tours to certain countries.
The ECB has said that the Wilson paper suggests a "framework for rational decision-making in relation to reviewing overseas cricket tours". The paper has been submitted to ECB's Management Board (MB) members ahead of their next meeting on January 29.
However, the Shadow Foreign Secretary said today that it would be "a disgrace" if the tour were to go ahead as planned.
The decision on touring remains with the ECB, but Mr Ancram criticised Foreign Secretary Jack Straw for his "inadequate response" to the issue.
“If he had any compassion for the people of Zimbabwe, Jack Straw would end the confusion and put a stop to this tour now rather than risk a repeat of the shambles surrounding last year’s World Cup,” said Mr Ancram.
Liberal Democrat Shadow Culture, Media and Sport Secretary, Don Foster, also voiced his hope that the ECB would cancel the tour.
"After Robert Mugabe's withdrawal from the Commonwealth, the moral case against the tour is even stronger than it was last year," he said.
"The clear guidelines proposed in this report will hopefully put an end to the damaging indecision we saw in the World Cup last year."
In a tersely worded statement issued today, the ECB described reports that the tour will be cancelled as "premature".
The ECB stated: "If the [Wilson] paper is adopted by the MB as a basis for decision-making, the criteria contained within the paper will be applied to the decision as to whether or not the ECB decides to send the England cricket team to tour Zimbabwe in October this year.
"It should be stressed that this decision is for the MB to take – and no-one else."
(gmcg)
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25 November 2004
England's controversial cricket tour to Zimbabwe goes ahead
England's one-day cricket tour to Zimbabwe will go ahead after Harare relented and said it would give accreditation to journalists. English Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that the 13 banned journalists – from organisations like The Sun, The Daily Telegraph, The Times and the BBC – will be allowed to cover the tour.
England's controversial cricket tour to Zimbabwe goes ahead
England's one-day cricket tour to Zimbabwe will go ahead after Harare relented and said it would give accreditation to journalists. English Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that the 13 banned journalists – from organisations like The Sun, The Daily Telegraph, The Times and the BBC – will be allowed to cover the tour.
08 January 2009
Pietersen Arrives Home With Police Escort
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Pietersen Arrives Home With Police Escort
Kevin Pietersen has arrived back to Britain from South Africa, following his shock resignation as England cricket captain. Pietersen, who resigned in controversial circumstances, was given a police escort out of Heathrow airport. He was met by reporters and photographers, however he refused to comment on the situation.
10 December 2007
Rihanna Cancels Three UK Concerts
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Rihanna Cancels Three UK Concerts
R&B singer Rihanna has been forced to pull out of three UK shows. The 19-year-old Barbados-born singer had been due to play at the NEC Arena in Birmingham tonight, but was forced to cancel the gig on doctor's orders. A planned concert in Bournemouth on Tuesday has also been cancelled, while a concert in Nottingham on Saturday was also called off.
24 November 2004
Minister voices 'deep concern' over Zimbabwe's media lock out
Foreign Office Minister Dennis MacShane has voiced his "deep concern" at the Zimbabwean government's decision to ban British journalists from the country during this winter's England cricket tour.
Minister voices 'deep concern' over Zimbabwe's media lock out
Foreign Office Minister Dennis MacShane has voiced his "deep concern" at the Zimbabwean government's decision to ban British journalists from the country during this winter's England cricket tour.
25 July 2006
MCB embarks on UK tour
The Muslim Council of Britain is embarking on a five-week tour of the UK in a bid to widen its appeal. The recently elected Secretary General, Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, will embark on the 'Connecting with the Community' tour on Tuesday and it will run until the end of August.
MCB embarks on UK tour
The Muslim Council of Britain is embarking on a five-week tour of the UK in a bid to widen its appeal. The recently elected Secretary General, Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, will embark on the 'Connecting with the Community' tour on Tuesday and it will run until the end of August.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
