Number 10 has denied suggestions that Britain is to approve a visit to Paris by Robert Mugabe.

Press reports on Thursday indicated that London would give the green light to the visit in order to secure French backing for the continued imposition of sanctions against Zanu-PF leaders.

Europe's foreign ministers meet in Brussels next Monday to determine whether to renew the sanctions.

A spokesman for the prime minister said Britain would press the case for the continuation of the EU-wide travel ban on senior Zimbabwe figures.

But he would not say whether the UK government would back a temporary suspension as part of a deal with the French administration.

A decision to renew the travel ban will require unanimity among all 15 EU member states and some fear Paris would block the move if Britain stopped the Mugabe visit.

The latest comments follow opposition anger at the news that France could allow president Mugabe to travel to Paris next month.

According to reports, France is to grant a visa to the Zanu PF leader - and will press its case at a meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers on Monday.

Quizzed on the situation in the Commons on Wednesday, the prime minister said: "We've made it clear that we support the sanctions that are in place against Zimbabwe.

"The meeting, I understand, is to take place on Monday and no agreement has been reached."

Michael Ancram, the shadow foreign secretary, demanded that the government intervene to ensure the travel ban is not flouted.

"What does the prime minister mean when he says there is no agreement? There was an agreement that targeted EU sanctions and a travel ban were in place," he said.

"That was perfectly clear - as was the British government's position on this. What has now changed? Is the whole thing open again?

"Sanctions against Mugabe's regime should be strengthened, not weakened. A travel ban on Mugabe and his henchmen is absolutely necessary."

Ancram had earlier claimed that president Chirac had "personally invited" Mugabe to the Franco-African summit in Paris next month.

"I am equally disturbed to hear reports that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, with the support of Number 10, have agreed to waive the UK veto on the granting of a visa to Mugabe," he said in a letter to Jack Straw.

"This contravenes not only the letter but the spirit of sanctions against the dictator Mugabe."

Liberal Democrat frontbencher Menzies Campbell also expressed his concern at the reports.

"To allow Mr Mugabe to strut his stuff in Paris would be absolutely unacceptable," he warned.

"At a time when his country is in freefall, when millions are facing starvation, and when human rights are systematically flouted, there should be no welcome for Mr Mugabe anywhere in the European Union."