Peter Tatchell

Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell is attempting to have Robert Mugabe arrested during his current visit to France.

Tatchell says that the president of Zimbabwe should be tried under the French government's anti-torture legislation.

He has previously attempted to perform a citizen's arrest on the president during a visit to London.

Any attempts by Tatchell to arrest Mugabe would be a severe embarrassment to the French government.

Paris angered London by issuing the invitation despite an EU-wide travel ban on the president and leading members of his Zanu PF administration.

The shadow foreign secretary, Michael Ancram, called on ministers to back attempts to detain the president.

"You will be aware that there may be certain legal challenges by Mr Peter Tatchell and others, who are once again seeking to arrest Robert Mugabe on charges of human rights violations," he said in a letter to Jack Straw.

"There are already genuine concerns that the French government will ride roughshod over its international legal responsibilities.

"I urge you not only to monitor, but to lend support to any attempt to arrest Robert Mugabe."

Alan Duncan, a shadow foreign minister, said France's invitation to Mugabe is "a complete moral outrage".

"France are putting their own selfish interests ahead of human rights," he said.

"We have had an EU travel ban on Mugabe for ages. After he cheated to be elected, most countries haven't even recognised him as a head of state.

"But France seems happy to ditch the sanctions and roll out the red carpet.

"While he is starving his own people, he's going to stuff himself rotten at sumptuous banquets in Paris. And if his wife turns up to there will no doubt be a roaring trade for Gucci and Chanel.

"Full marks to Peter Tatchell for all his efforts. He might seem an unlikely hero for us, but what he is doing is laudable."

The Foreign Office said the government would be making no comment on the visit.

"If you want an explanation as to why Robert Mugabe is in France you really need to go to the French authorities," said a spokesman.