Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe has flown to Europe to meet with relatives of the late Anthony Blunt and Nicolae Ceaucescu. It is understood that all parties are concerned for their reputations now that Fred Goodwin has joined their ranks by having his knighthood revoked.
Speaking at an undisclosed location in Switzerland, one of Mr Mugabe’s legal team explained “We understand that short-term political expediency sometimes demands tokenistic gestures to generate quick headlines”. “And after our president heard he would lose his title, he accepted this in the spirit in which it was intended. But we never expected to suffer the humiliation of being likened to banker whose foolish and reckless actions brought untold misery to millions and nearly bankrupted a nation.”
Mr Mugabe has engaged a QC to prepare a high court injunction on behalf of all the parties. It is thought that they will remain flexible as to whether Fred Goodwin retains his knighthood or theirs are restored. Their lawyer summarised his clients’ position by adding “They do not wish to be associated with a bank executive. Quite frankly, who would ?”.