WHITEHALL: WE DIDN’T HELP FREE MANN

Foreign Office staff said they had no part in securing his freedom or arranging his passage back to Britain.

Family and friends are believed to have hired a Dassault Falcon 900 jet for the journey from west Africa to Luton. Mann, heir to the Mann brewing family, was accompanied by his brother Edward and sister Sarah on the flight.

The Foreign Office said: “During his time in detention we provided normal consular support to Simon Mann and his family.

“We maintained an active interest in his welfare and raised issues on his behalf with the authorities in Equatorial Guinea.

“Simon Mann’s release is a matter solely for the government of Equatorial Guinea

“We did not enter negotiations with the government of Equatorial Guinea for his release or make representations to have him released.”

Business Secretary Peter Mandelson was forced to deny any link with the plot earlier on in the Mann affair. Mr Mandelson is said to be a friend of Ely Calil, an alleged co-funder of the plot.