The Liberal Democrats have challenged the government to strip Robert Mugabe of his honorary knighthood.

The party's peers have called on the government to advise the Queen to remove the honour conferred on Zimbabwe's president.

They have tabled a question in the Lords arguing that the government should make a symbolic gesture in protest at Mugabe's human rights record.

"By and large, sanctions from the international community on Zimbabwe have not worked. But there is a moral need to send signals to Robert Mugabe that his actions are deplorable," Lord Watson said.

"Robert Mugabe has led the people of Zimbabwe to the brink of destruction. He does not deserve an honour of this kind. The government should advise that his honorary knighthood be withdrawn."