Brown and other G8 leaders question Zimbabwe government's 'legitimacy'

Last Modified: 08 Jul 2008
By: Jonathan Rugman

Gordon Brown champions the G8 leaders' strong statement, saying they will seek targeted sanctions against the Zimbabwe government.

"We do not accept the legitimacy of any government that does not reflect the will of the Zimbabwean people," the eight leaders said from Hokkaido, Japan.

The decision went against the wishes of the African leaders attending the summit, including Thabo Mbeki who had said sanctions could lead to civil war.

The decision was championed by Gordon Brown, who said it was the "strongest possible statement" and reflected international outrage about the recent violence.

In an interview with Channel 4 News at the G8 Summit the prime minister also talked about climate change and the global food crisis.