Coup Plot Report 'Not Definitive'

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Scotsman.com

By Nick Mead, PA Political Staff


Foreign Secretary Jack Straw today published further details in a Commons written statement of intelligence reports received by his department before an attempted coup in Equatorial Guinea.

In a separate written answer to a question by shadow foreign secretary Michael Ancram, Mr Straw denied that he or any of his ministers had any contact with European Union commissioner Peter Mandelson in relation to the alleged plot.

Reports have claimed South African detectives want to question the former MP for Hartlepool over suggestions he discussed the plan to overthrow the ruling regime in the West African state with Ely Calil, a Lebanese businessman alleged to have helped finance the action.

Former SAS officer Simon Mann has been jailed for his role in the plot to oust Equatorial Guinea’s President Teodoro Obiang and Sir Mark Thatcher is alleged to have been involved in funding the operation, which was foiled in March.

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