The Guardian Chief justice Anthony Gubbay's brave stand against Robert Mugabe's attempt to emasculate Zimbabwe's independent judiciary deserves the strongest support. Mr Gubbay, who is British-born, white and Jewish, faces such attacks on all three counts. His persecutors appreciate his symbolic importance and it enrages them.
Integrity always infuriates scoundrels.
Britain's decision yesterday to withdraw its military trainers is welcome for the signal it sends. But this, the latest in a series of minor punishments, highlights how little leverage London really has. And as for South Africa's Thabo Mbeki, his recently toughened stance looks like more hot air. But this, sadly, is of little help now to Zimbabwe's people - and none at all to Mr Gubbay.