Britain will push for Zimbabwe to be suspended from the Commonwealth if the situation there continues to worsen, foreign secretary Jack Straw told the Commons yesterday.

"If the situation in Zimbabwe continues to deteriorate, Britain will argue for Zimbabwe's suspension from the Commonwealth at the Commonwealth heads of government meeting in March," he said.

Shadow foreign secretary Michael Ancram questioned why Britain had "proved so toothless" on the issue of sanctions.

The move came ahead of the expected passage today of a Zimbabwe media bill banning foreign journalists from working in Zimbabwe and requiring local reporters to apply for a government license.

The Times reports the decision to back suspension reflects Blair's desire to focus on development in Africa during his second term in office.