UK says to keep Zimbabwe pressure despite threats

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain will continue to speak out against human rights abuses in Zimbabwe despite threats by the government of President Robert Mugabe to throw out Western envoys it accuses of backing a drive to oust him.

"Such threats will not deter the UK from speaking out against the continued misgovernance and human rights abuses in Zimbabwe," a Foreign Office official told Reuters.

"Nor will it prevent us from supporting ordinary Zimbabweans in any way we can, including through delivery of substantial humanitarian assistance."

Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi told Zimbabwe state television (ZTV) on Monday that he had warned envoys accredited to Harare the government would not hesitate to boot out those who support opposition politics.

Britain, which confirmed its ambassador had been told to remain quiet or face being declared persona non grata, is trying to stoke up pressure in the United Nations and European Union for tough reprisals against Zimbabwe's leadership.

British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said last week Britain wanted direct action against those responsible for the detention and beating of opposition leader Morgan Tzvangirai and others at a rally.

She said British officials had been "working the phones" to persuade EU colleagues to extend recently renewed sanctions and was also pushing for the human rights council at the United Nations to take an urgent look at Zimbabwe.