Blair's glimmer of hope in Zimbabwe poll

Tony Blair today sent out a glimmer of hope that Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe could be booted out in presidential elections next week.

The Prime Minister claimed the result could be "more open than people might think". His comments, as he travelled to the Commonwealth summit in Australia, represented a strong signal that the Government believes opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai might win in a contest marred by violence and claims of vote rigging.

Mr Tsvangirai has built up a lead in opinion polls despite being charged with high treason amid allegations that he plotted to "eliminate" Mr Mugabe. Up to now most Western governments have assumed that intimidation and rigging would ensure a tainted victory for Mr Mugabe.

However, Mr Blair told journalists aboard his Boeing 777 to Brisbane: "There obviously has been a high level of intimidation but it does appear the opposition enjoyed considerable support. So I think the sense I have is that it is more open than people might have thought a few weeks ago."