BRITAIN/EQUATORIAL GUINEA: Britain was coming under pressure last night to explain why it failed to warn the oil-rich and repressive central African state of Equatorial Guinea of an impending coup attempt, after claims emerged that British officials were briefed about the plot more than two months in advance.
Mr Johann Smith, a former South African military intelligence officer who has worked for the Equatorial Guinea government as a consultant, e-mailed warnings about the plot to British officials on two occasions, according to a statement released by Equatorial Guinea government lawyers.
The claim is the latest intrigue in a case that has focused attention on the murky world of African oil politics and the alleged role in financing the coup played by Sir Mark Thatcher, son of the former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher.
According to the statement, Mr Smith said he first heard about the coup plot last November from two former South African army colleagues recruited by Nick du Toit, the alleged mercenary leader who was sentenced in Equatorial Guinea last week to 34 years in prison.
Mr Smith said he decided to warn the Equatorial Guinea authorities and also those in the US and England because "some of their nationals might be killed". In December, he e-mailed two British officials and a Pentagon official but received no reply.
Mr Michael Ancram, Conservative foreign affairs spokesman, demanded that the British government explain what it knew and why it apparently took no action as a result.
The Foreign Office declined yesterday to add to a recent statement that it had been aware of rumours of a possible coup last January. Mr Jack Straw, Foreign Secretary, said: "We were sceptical about the reports, as there had been a number of coup rumours in the media previously, including October 2003."