Scotland Yard to quiz Simon Mann over failed coup in Equatorial Guinea (From This is Hampshire)

Scotland Yard to quiz Simon Mann over failed coup in Equatorial Guinea

10:56am Wednesday 4th November 2009 in

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SCOTLAND Yard counter terrorism detectives were today preparing to question freed Hampshire mercenary Simon Mann.

Officers want to quiz the Old Etonian and ex-SAS soldier - who hails from from Lymington - over a bungled Equatorial Guinea coup that left him facing a 34-year jail sentence.

He is expected to return home today after being freed from prison in the oil-rich West African state after serving just 15 months.

Serious questions remain over the 2004 plot to topple Equatorial Guinea's government and install opposition leader Severo Moto.

The plan collapsed when Mann and a team of up to 70 mercenaries were held on a airport runway in Harare, Zimbabwe, in March 2004.

Mann, 57, claimed during his trial that several other prominent figures helped to organise and finance the plot in London.

He told the court Sir Mark Thatcher, son of former prime minister Baroness Thatcher, was ''part of the management team''.

Sir Mark was given a suspended sentence in South Africa in relation to funding the operation.

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

Lebanese-born London businessman Ely Calil has also been implicated in the plot. He too denies any wrongdoing.

South African arms dealer Nick Du Toit was sentenced to 34 years in prison as a result of the case.

Four other men - Mr du Toit, Sergio Cardoso, Jose Domingos and George Alerson were also granted pardons for their part in the plot.

British detectives visited Mann three times last year while he was in the country's notorious Black Beach prison.

His former associates could be questioned by police about the alleged coup attempt if he repeats the allegations.

Mann spent his first night of freedom in a hotel last night after being suddenly pardoned by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.

A statement released by his family said: ''The family is absolutely delighted that Simon has been pardoned and is to be released shortly.''

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

''We are aware of developments but are not prepared to discuss them further. We are liaising with the Crown Prosecution Service. Inquiries continue. The Counter Terrorism Command are investigating.''