Thatcher to be quizzed over coup plot role

Mark Thatcher is likely to be questioned within days over his alleged involvement in an attempt coup in Equatorial Guinea.

Prosecutors investigating a plot to oust President Teodoro Obiang Nguema have arrived in South Africa and submitted a list of questions which they hope to put to the millionaire businessman.

Sir Mark, 51, the son of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, was arrested in a dawn raid at his luxury home in Cape Town on August 25.

He is charged with bankrolling a plot involving mercenaries to oust Obiang, in power in Equatorial Guinea since 1979.

His advocate Peter Hodes said Sir Mark will not be seen this weekend, but could be seen once his legal team have seen the list of questions.

“We read in the press that the Equatorial Guinea officials have sent a list of questions to the Department of Justice. We asked to see those questions before allowing them to see our client,” Mr Hodes told the South African Press Association.

“They are not coming this weekend. Once we see the questions we will discuss with them when we will see them.”

Baroness Thatcher last week provided bail money of £167,000 to free her son from house arrest.

Sir Mark is able to leave his home but is confined to the Cape Peninsula and required to present himself to police every day.

He is alleged to have backed plot ringleader Simon Mann, a former SAS soldier who was convicted in a Zimbabwe court last week of trying to buy weapons from Zimbabwe’s state arms manufacturer.

Sir Mark could face up to 15 years in jail if convicted of aiding the plot by helping to fund the purchase of a helicopter.

A total of 88 men are in custody in South Africa, Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe in connection with the plan, allegedly foiled in March.

Equatorial Guinea has asked for Sir Mark to be extradited from South Africa and his next court appearance is due to take place on November 25.