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ZAMBIA'S Supreme Court has rejected a government attempt to deport a British writer for allegedly insulting the president.

Roy Clarke was ordered to leave the country in 2004 after he compared President Levy Mwanawasa to a "foolish elephant" in a newspaper column. Mr Clarke won a legal challenge but the government appealed and final ruling was heard on the 24th of January.

The case is being seen as a test case of the right of journalists to lampoon Zambia's leaders.

His wife is a Zambian women's rights activist and he has permanent residency. His children and grandchildren have Zambian nationality.

Revoking the original deportation order, Judge Philip Musonda said it was unconstitutional and that the author had a right to write satirical stories. Home Affairs Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha had originally given Mr Clarke 24 hours to leave the country.

The article, published in Zambia’s The Post newspaper, was based on George Orwell's Animal Farm. He also compared two ministers to baboons. In Zambia, foreigners with a permanent residency can be deported if convicted of a crime.

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