Expelled election observer warns of Zimbabwe sanctions

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

Pierre Schori, who was heading an EU mission to observe next month's presidential elections, denied the Zimbabwean governments claims he was guilty of "political arrogance".

Mr Schori insisted he had been "bipartisan and professional".

He dismissed the government's claims as "fabrications" and said he was "surprised" when his visa was revoked yesterday in the capital, Harare.

But he also warned imposing sanctions against Mr Mugabe - widely expected at tomorrow's European Union meeting of foreign affairs ministers - was a "worst case scenario".

The election campaign has already been marred by serious violence.

More than 20 people - all but three of whom were opposition supporters - are believed to have been killed since the beginning of the year.