MPs attack cricket chiefs for allowing Test tour

Almost 100 MPs condemned the English cricket authorities for "putting profit before principle" yesterday and allowing Zimbabwe's test tour to go ahead.

Eleven former Labour ministers, including the former sports minister Kate Hoey and the former international development minister George Foulkes, were among 94 MPs who condemned the tour.

The motion urged the Government to intensify diplomacy aimed at resolving the Zimbabwe crisis and bringing an end to "the gratuitous suffering of millions of ordinary Zimbabweans". It stated: "The tour will misleadingly suggest that the situation in Zimbabwe is getting back to normal."

Michael Ancram, the shadow Foreign Secretary, highlighted the number of Labour MPs calling for a tougher stance on President Robert Mugabe. He said: "So much for Jack Straw's quiet diplomacy. His own party wants him to speak out against Mugabe's regime."

Protesters plan a peaceful demonstration at the first Test against Zimbabwe, which opens at Lord's tomorrow.

Members of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group resolved to maintain Zimbabwe's suspension from the organisation and said Mr Mugabe had none nothing to engage with the international community. Yesterday Commonwealth foreign ministers received a report on Zimbabwe, which remains suspended from the councils of the organisation until the heads of government meeting in Nigeria in December. Zimbabwe was suspended in March last year over politically motivated violence during the presidential elections.