"Britain dragged into coup plot"

Britain dragged into coup plot as rumours swirl over London meeting

Thatcher's business partner turns state witness as diplomatic row builds over alleged west African putsch

by Antony Barnett, Martin Bright and Patrick Smith

One of Sir Mark Thatcher's key business partners has turned 'state witness' and is alleged to have given dramatic new evidence to South African police investigating Thatcher's role in the alleged coup to overthrow the President of Equatorial Guinea.

The revelation comes as speculation mounts over what British and US officials knew about the alleged plot and when. Insiders claim that officials in both countries were aware of a planned attempt to topple the leader of the oil-rich west African state, although both governments have denied this claim.

Thatcher's business partner, former crack mercenary pilot Crause Steyl, is believed to have handed over details of Thatcher's investment in an aviation firm that had contracts with Simon Mann, the old Etonian and former SAS officer in jail in Zimbabwe

Full Article : guardian.co.uk