Zimbabwe today condemned EU sanctions and accused Europe of orchestrating ‘‘hostile action’’ to influence elections early next month.

Risking a rift between Europe and Africa, EU foreign ministers considered imposing sanctions on Zimbabwe today after President Mugabe expelled their senior election monitor.

Europe’s top elections observer tonight told of his expulsion from Zimbabwe - ahead of a vital EU decision on whether to impose sanctions on the country’s regime.

Europe's top election observer has arrived in Britain after he was expelled from Zimbabwe by Robert Mugabe's regime.

Europe’s top election observer has been ordered to leave Zimbabwe by the Robert Mugabe regime, MEP Glenys Kinnock said today.