Simon Mann points finger at Thatcher

Sir Mark Thatcher has been accused of being one of the principal ringleaders behind an attempt to overthrow the President of the oil-rich West African state Equatorial Guinea in 2004. The claims were made by Old Etonian and former SAS officer, Simon Mann (pictured), who is currently standing trial for his part in the bodged coup. Yesterday he said that Sir Mark "was not just an investor. He came on board completely and became part of the management team". Mann added that he was one of five men "in charge of the operartion".

Sir Mark struck a plea bargain with South African proscectors in 2005. He admitted paying £140,530 for a helicopter to help the plotters, but claimed that he thought it was going to be used an an air ambulance. He was fined £266,000 and received a four-year suspended sentence.

Equatorial Guinea prosecutors have asked that Mann serve at least 30 years in jail but by providing hard evidence against the plot’s backers and organisers Mann is hoping to bargain for an early release. Mann has also told the court that Thatcher is “known as a dirty player who lives his life getting himself involved in all sorts of dubious deals that are of benefit to himself... Mark Thatcher quickly jumped into this boat and became part and parcel of this plot”.

Mann said that the coup was an “official operation” but Spain and South Africa’s “involvement was clandestine and they will never admit it”. Concluding his own defence, Mann said: “I am very, very sorry for what I have done. I am also very happy that we failed... I think that the people that were seriously involved in this and have not faced justice, they should do so.”

When asked by the judge if he felt felt a 30-year sentence was justified, Mann, who stood to make £7.7m from leading the coup, said: "I don't agree with that. No. Please."

Mann's trial is being held at a conference centre in Malabo amid heavy security. He is led to and from the court by armed guards equipped with assault rifles while armored vehicles patrol the streets. A verdict is expected on Thursday.