Mercenary: Mark Thatcher must face justice

Published on Wednesday 4 November 2009 21:14

FREED coup plotter Simon Mann yesterday demanded that Sir Mark Thatcher should "face justice" for his part in trying to topple the government of Equatorial Guinea.

Former Scots Guard Mann flew home yesterday after being freed 15 months into a 34-year sentence for his part in the 2004 plot.

Before leaving the African country yesterday, Mann said the son of former prime minister Margaret Thatcher and others should face justice for plotting to overthrow the oil-rich country's government.

Read former SAS commander Clive Fairweather's opinion here

In a trial last year, Mann testified that Sir Mark had provided 350,000, which was used to buy a small plane that was to transport Equatorial Guinea's exiled opposition leader Severo Moto from Madrid to the African state.

His testimony implicated Sir Mark as chief bankroller and Nigerian-born British citizen Ely Calil – allegations both men denied.

Mann said after his release from prison yesterday that he was "happy that we did not succeed in 2004". He added: "But as far as I'm concerned, I am very anxious that Calil, Thatcher and one or two of the others should face justice."

Sir Mark pleaded guilty in a South African court to unwittingly helping fund the operation. He was fined and given a suspended sentence.

Mann arrived back in the UK yesterday for what he called the "most wonderful homecoming I could ever have imagined".

The Old Etonian and ex-SAS soldier touched down in a private jet at Luton Airport.

In a statement read for him by spokesman Ian Monk, Mann said: "This is the most wonderful homecoming I could ever have imagined.

"There hasn't been a moment during the last five-and-a-half years when I have not dreamt of one day being back in Britain with my family.

"I'm especially looking forward to meeting my son Arthur, who was born a few months after I left the country and whom consequently I have never seen.

"I am hugely grateful to President Mbasogo for releasing me. It's the best early Christmas present my family and I could ever have imagined. As I know you will understand, I have been away for five-and-a-half tough years, much of it spent in solitary confinement."

As Mann arrived home, Scotland Yard counter-terrorism detectives were preparing to question him.

Officers want to speak to Mann over his part in the plot and the role of other Britons, including Sir Mark. They want to establish if any of the plotters committed crimes on British soil, such as conspiracy to supply arms. Mann, 57, claimed during his trial that several other prominent figures helped to organise and finance the plot in London.

He told the court during his trial that Sir Mark was "part of the management team".

Sir Mark has always denied any knowledge that a coup was being plotted and issued a statement yesterday welcoming news of Mann's release.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said yesterday: "We can confirm we are investigating whether any offences may have been disclosed in this country."

Another freed plotter yesterday also claimed Sir Mark was central to the plot.

South African Niek du Toit said he met Mann and Sir Mark through his business connections in West Africa.

WHO'S WHO

SIMON Mann has pointed the finger at three others he says were responsible for the coup plot.

&#149 Ely Calil, a Lebanese-born, London-based businessman. He was named as "the boss" who brought Mann in to execute the coup plan.

&#149 Severo Moto, a self-proclaimed leader of the opposition living in exile in Madrid, who was to be installed as the new head of state if the coup was a success.

&#149 Sir Mark Thatcher. Mann said that he had introduced his old friend to Mr Calil as a possible financier but Sir Mark's place in the hierarchy of the organisation of plotters became higher than his own.