A cynical ploy by Ming

Gordon Brown has made a stand against Robert Mugabe, threatening to boycott a meeting of European and African leaders if Mugabe is allowed to attend. It's a symbolic but important move, and I'm glad he's making it.

I have only one worry. Ming Campbell is speaking this afternoon - isn't there a risk of the Prime Minister's brave words, words which people need to hear, being eclipsed by the Lib Dem leader?

Either Ming's timing today is desperately unfortunate, or he has a cynical media agenda to steal the limelight from poor Gordon Brown. But only a true cynic would think such unworthy thoughts.