Richard Dowden

Three decades of murder and misrule

On 4 March 1980, Robert Mugabe became Prime Minister of Zimbabwe. Richard Dowden explains how this intelligent and charismatic man became addicted to brutality

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Downing Street’s Diwali debacle

Twelve months ago, it was Rishi Sunak who was lighting a candle outside No. 10. So with a new regime installed in office, Mr S wondered how Keir Starmer would go about marking the Hindu festival. Sadly it seems that Starmer’s reverse Midas touch has struck again. For Steerpike hears that last week’s big bash

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