Greening: my critical look at Rwandan aid handout

The Government is to review the controversial decision by the former International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell to reinstate aid to Rwanda, his successor, Justine Greening, has told The Independent.

Mr Mitchell was criticised for lifting a freeze on £16m of British aid to President Paul Kagame's regime on his final day as International Development Secretary last month. It is understood Mr Mitchell overruled his own officials, despite his close relationship with Rwanda's hardline leader. But Ms Greening could now overrule her predecessor. "I am taking a critical look at the decision," she said.

If the ban is reinstated it would pile more pressure on Mr Mitchell, who pulled out of the Tory Party conference after allegedly describing Downing Street policeman as "plebs".

Documents recently released by the Department for International Development suggest Mr Mitchell had promised the aid money despite concerns about the regime's dire human rights record.