Dog Of War comes home... still snarling
By NICK FRANCIS
Published: Today
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HOT from hell, the one-time Dog Of War was still snarling as he returned home to Britain yesterday.
Former SAS officer Simon Mann vowed not to be muzzled as he seeks to expose the powerful mystery men behind the planned coup which landed him in prison.
And as he boarded a private jet from Equatorial Guinea to Luton Airport, he said: "As far as I'm concerned, I am very anxious that Ely Calil, Mark Thatcher and one or two of the others should face justice."
Mercenary Mann, 57, was freed 15 months into a 34-year sentence for a 2004 plot to topple the African country. He received a presidential pardon.
https://teakdoor.com/images/smilies1/You_Rock_Emoticon.gifPardon ... Simon Mann with court officials
Mann stepped back on to British soil at 1.43pm yesterday - desperate to hug the five-year-old son he has never seen.
In a statement read out by a family representative he said: "This is the most wonderful homecoming I could ever imagine.
"There hasn't been a moment during the last five and half years when I have not dreamt of one day being back in Britain. I am hugely grateful to President Obiang for releasing me. It's the best early Christmas present my family and I could ever have imagined."
Metropolitan Police counter-terrorism cops now look certain to quiz him after launching a probe to establish whether any crimes linked to the coup were committed in Britain.
https://teakdoor.com/images/smilies1/You_Rock_Emoticon.gifHistory ... plane to have been used in coup
Sources said yesterday that he had co-operated fully with British investigators while in prison and already listed organisers and financiers of the failed plot.
In his testimony he claimed that he was recruited by Sir Mark Thatcher, son of ex-PM Baroness Thatcher, who he said took him to London to be vetted by alleged kingpin Mr Calil, a businessman.
He insisted Sir Mark was not just an investor but was "on board completely and became part of the management team". And he added: "I am very happy to re-state those things in court in the UK as a witness for the prosecution."
Cried
Sir Mark denies knowingly financing an audacious mission to topple the oil-rich African state.
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London-based Lebanese businessman Ely Calil, a friend of Business Secretary Lord Mandelson, has denied Mann's claims that he was the "Mr Big" behind the foiled attack.
Mann - who has spent the past five years languishing in jail - wept tears of joy this week when he learned he was being freed from the notorious Black Beach prison.
The Old Etonian wept more on the Tarmac as he arrived in Britain. And doubtless he would cry again when he met his five-year-old son Arthur, who was born while he was in captivity.
Mann was extradited to Equatorial Guinea from Zimbabwe last year after being caught on his way to the capital, Malabo, in March 2004 with a planeload of soldiers and weapons.
He was thrilled when he was pardoned this week after his family stumped up a £200,000 release fee, slashed from the £270million originally demanded.
Mann, who has seven children from three marriages, was met in Equatorial Guinea by his sister Sarah and brother Edward.
A source close to the family revealed yesterday: "The pilot of the plane approached Simon and told him he was seven hours' flying time from London. Simon simply shook his hand and told him, 'That's music to my ears'. He was very emotional.
"And when he finally stepped on to the Tarmac at Luton he had to wipe away a tear of elation."
https://teakdoor.com/images/smilies1/You_Rock_Emoticon.gifFirst steps back home ... Simon Mann arrives back in the UKThe Sun/Peter Jordan
He spent much of his flight home talking about son Arthur.
Fizzing
The source revealed: "He was absolutely fizzing with excitement. He couldn't stop talking about seeing Arthur for the first time."
The trip is believed to have cost just short of £100,000 and is thought to have been funded by the family, heirs to the Watney Mann brewing empire.
Mann, who was treated better than he had expected in prison, became a mercenary in 1993. When the shadowy plan to overthrow Equatorial Guinea's leaders - and tap its untold oil wealth - was hatched, Mann was seen as the perfect man for the job. But the elaborate plot collapsed. Yesterday, after arriving at Luton, he headed straight to London's King Edward VII hospital for medical checks.
His wife Amanda was not told about the negotiations for his pardon until he was free and was awaiting his return at their Hampshire mansion last night.
Sir Mark Thatcher said in a statement yesterday: "I am delighted Simon will be reunited with his family at last."
Mr Calil said: "I'm thrilled by today's news that Simon will soon be back with his family. I'm sure that friends who have been praying for his safe return since this nightmare began will rally around."
A Scotland Yard spokesman said last night: "We monitored the trial in Equatorial Guinea and can confirm we are investigating whether any offences may have been disclosed in this country."
Read more:
Simon Mann returns from Equatorial Guinea wanted to expose the men behind planned coup | The Sun |Features
