Russia and China delivered a massive blow to western plans for sanctions against Robert Mugabe’s authoritarian regime, vetoing efforts to step up punitive measures on Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe’s UN ambassador says a US and British-led conspiracy fooled the UN Security Council into concluding the violence gripping his nation has made it impossible to hold a fair presidential election.

Outraged at the turmoil in Zimbabwe, the UN Security Council declared this morning that a fair presidential vote is impossible because of the “campaign of violence” waged by President Robert Mugabe’s government.

CHECKING of votes from Zimbabwe’s disputed presidential poll was put off again yesterday, further delaying the day when the country will know if President Robert Mugabe is to remain in power.

Britain today denied claims by Zimbabwe’s government of a letter from British prime minister Gordon Brown that it said proved opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai was plotting with the UK to overthrow President Robert Mugabe.