Scottish university revokes Mugabe degree

In this file picture, Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe addresses his supporters during the country's 27th Independence anniversary at Rufaro stadium in Harare, April 18, 2007. The University of Edinburgh said on Wednesday it would withdraw an honorary degree awarded to Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe in 1984.

LONDON (Reuters) - A leading Scottish university said on Wednesday it would withdraw an honorary degree awarded to Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe in 1984.

The University of Edinburgh, whose alumni include prime-minister-in-waiting Gordon Brown, said the formal process of revocation would involve writing to Mugabe to give him the opportunity to respond "before any further steps are taken".

"The University has been acutely aware of ongoing developments in Zimbabwe and of recent representations made by the Edinburgh University Students' Association with regard to Robert Mugabe's honorary degree," the university said in a statement.

"It has responded to those representations by taking this unprecedented decision to revoke the degree."

Under Mugabe's rule, Zimbabwe has slipped into economic and political crisis, with deepening unrest between Mugabe's security forces and opposition groups.

Mugabe led the nation to independence in 1980 but has become an international pariah, accused of human rights abuses and ineffective economic policies which have resulted in rampant inflation, food shortages and growing poverty.

He blames deteriorating conditions on sanctions imposed by the West and regards opposition politicians as puppets of Western governments, led by Britain.