POLICE in South Africa want to question Peter Mandelson, the new European Union commissioner and close friend of Tony Blair, over any knowledge he may have of a coup attempt in Equatorial Guinea.

They are acting on allegations that one of the suspects in the plot twice discussed with Mandelson the British government’s attitude towards a coup.

The move coincides with pressure on the Foreign Office to reveal how much it knew in advance about the plan to topple the oil-rich west African state’s ruling regime. The Sunday Times has seen two intelligence reports said to have been passed to British diplomats in January warning of an impending coup.

Detectives from South Africa’s Scorpions team are investigating Sir Mark Thatcher and other alleged backers of the plot. The interest in Mandelson lies in his acquaintance with Ely Calil, a London-based Lebanese businessman alleged to be one of the coup’s financiers.

A South African government source said: “The Scorpions want to interview Mandelson. They do not regard him as a suspect but want to know what he knows.”

Mandelson, the EU trade commissioner, denies discussing the coup attempt with Calil. His name surfaced when Equatorial Guinea claimed Calil had contacted him before the plot was discovered. At the time, Mandelson was a Labour MP.

The regime alleged Calil was seeking reassurance that Britain would welcome the overthrow of the dictator President Teodoro Obiang Nguema and his replacement by Severo Moto, the exiled opposition leader.

The coup failed in March when Simon Mann and other mercenaries were arrested. Calil, who once rented a flat in London to Mandelson, is alleged to have raised the matter again. It is understood the Scorpions have a copy of an intelligence report — circulated between the plotters — that mentions this second meeting.

The report says: “Calil recently met Mandelson about the EG/ Moto/Mann issue. Calil says Mandelson assured him he would get no problems from the British government and invited Calil to come and see him again ‘if you need something done’.”

The Home Office has already rejected a request from the Equatorial Guineans to interview Mandelson but the South Africans may have greater support.

A spokesman for Mandelson said: “He categorically denies ever speaking to Mr Calil or to anybody else about the coup.”

Calil has denied being involved in the coup or discussing it with Mandelson.

Explore UK News

• Crime News

• Education News

• Health News

• Science News

• Scotland News

Times Recommends

• An officer and a gentle woman
• Dame Helen Mirren is worthy of the Epidaurus
• Foods that can help to prevent swine flu