Gordon Brown's Africa Minister gave the clearest hint yet that Britain is to follow America's lead and blacklist a British-based businessman and UK-related companies accused of financially supporting Robert Mugabe's regime.

The Times reported today that of 21 companies put on a US blacklist by President Bush last month, 14 are based in Britain, two in the Isle of Man, one in Jersey and one in the British Virgin Islands.

Responding to the report in a BBC interview this morning, Lord Malloch-Brown said: "Where the US moves, we try to stay as closely in line with them as possible; our procedures, because they’re done through Europe, are slower.

He added: "It is the case that totally-owned Zimbabwean subsidiaries of companies registered here in the UK do still have freedom to operate, but we do not believe that there are sanction-busting activities being run out of the UK."

Times Archive, 1983: And now the real Mugabe stands up

His elegance of speech, and gentleness of manner, have deceived many in the West

• Leading article: Zimbabwe's vote, 1985

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An investigation by The Times today showed how Mr Mugabe and his regime use a number of ploys to stay in power, often with the help of white businessmen – some with British passports – and a number of London companies.

The foreign currency that these men bring into the country allows top Zanu (PF) figures to buy hard currency at the official rate – way below the currency's true worth - and earn small fortunes.

Top of the list of alleged Mugabe cronies now under sanction by the US Treasury is the British-based businessman John Bredenkamp, the newspaper said.

In his interview with BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Lord Malloch-Brown also joined the Americans in condemning Zimbabwe's power-sharing deal as "impossible'. He said that Mr Mugabe had become an "absolute impossible obstacle" and would have to step aside.

His remarks came after Jendayi Frazer, the top US envoy for Africa, said that Mr Mugabe was incapable of sharing power.

"Power-sharing isn’t dead but Mugabe has become an absolute impossible obstacle to achieving it," Lord Malloch-Brown said. "He’s so distrusted by all sides that I think the Americans are absolutely right - he’s going to have to step aside."

He added: "The final death throes of these kinds of situations seem terribly slow and grim and unnecessary."

The comments by Ms Frazer and Lord Malloch-Brown come amid a chorus of international condemnation of the Mugabe regime and calls for him to be removed from power.

Aid organisations appealed last week for help to tackle the cholera crisis in the country where the United Nations estimates that half the population is facing imminent starvation.

Latest figures from the United Nations show cholera, which is a waterborne disease, has infected 18,000 people and killed at least 1,000, with many more deaths and infections believed to have gone unrecorded.

The disease is affecting nine out of the country’s 10 provinces and is likely to spread further if, as expected, there are more heavy rains in the next month.

Additional reporting: Jan Raath

On the US blacklist

John Bredenkamp “A close ally of Mugabe’s”, according to the US Treasury. It lists the following entities, owned or controlled by him: Alpha International (Private) Ltd; Breco (Asia Pacific) Ltd, also Breco (Eastern Europe) Ltd, (SA) Ltd, (UK) Ltd, Breco Group, Breco International, Breco Nominees Ltd, Breco Services Ltd; Corybantes Ltd; Echo Delta Holdings Ltd; Kababankola Mining Company; Masters Int Ltd; Masters Int Inc; Piedmont (UK) Ltd; Raceview Enterprises; Scottlee Holdings (Pvt) Ltd; Scottlee Resorts; Timpani Ltd; and Tremalt Ltd

Muller Conrad Rautenbach (aka Billy Rautenback) Zimbabwean businessman “with close ties to the regime”. Supported Zanu (PF) individuals during the conflict with the Democratic Republic of Congo and “provided logistical support” for mining projects that “benefit a small number of corrupt senior officials”. One entity designated is owned by him — Ridgepoint Overseas Developments Ltd

Nalinee Taveesin A Thai businesswoman who has organised “a number of financial, real-estate and gem-related transactions” for Grace Mugabe and others on the US blacklist

Mahmood Awang Kechik A Malaysian urologist. Alleged to have used his clinic to hide the destination of medical equipment coming into the country. Also implicated in schemes to “generate wealth for these regime officials” and the Zimbabwe Government”

Source: US Treasury Department

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