Loved the allusion to Conrad's character Paolo, though I fancy Lord Jim was a good deal brighter. For fictional models for "Sir" Mark Thatcher, how about Private Walker from Dad's Army? With a polished up accent of course.

Barry Smith, Colomby, France

Not sure that a 20-acre estate in Hampshire is indicative of a man having everything, as you suggest. 2000 acres, maybe...

Simon Rayment, London,

Great stuff Simon - pity you didn't suceed !!!!

A true heroe to the last !!!!

ian payne, walsall,

Hopefully Mark Thatcher wont be the only big name that gets fingered on this one - I've got a feeling the dirt will spread alot further than just him.

No matter how you dress it up Simon Mann was a mercenary. Mercenarys kill people for profit - there is no defence to that.

R Munch, Northampton, UK

I shouldn't think the poor sod will survive more than 5 years!

Keith, Grantham,

Simon Mann reminds me of the literary charachter Lord Jim, in Conrad's novel. Very English, very romantic, an adventurer but a man of honour. In the novel Lord Jim accepts the death penalty. I hope Mann gets a presidential pardon in a year or two as the article suggests.

Paolo, Rome, Italy

Trouble is you can't get Mann's stout anywhere .. Its all these namby pamby lager drinkers. If he was raised on that, no wonder he thinks he can run a country (the size of Hackney).

PbluBlood, London, UK

Its a shame such a good soldier meets this fate. We needed more action takers like him in Northern Ireland. He is the sort to stop murders before they happened!

Richard, magherafelt,

Good. Mann is a long way from Northern Ireland today and good riddance

Ellen , Boston , USA

It really is not fair that Mark Thatcher should get away with it. This incredibly selfish man with a mount Everest sized ego thought nothing of helping to launch an insurrection in a poor country that would have invariably led to many innocent deaths.Hopely justice will eventually catch up with him.

Brian Musah, Hertford, UK

Mark Thatcher is in hiding in Spain surrounded by highly paid bodyguards, but if the reward goes high enough for his head, he might be sold. I would think 20.000.000 pounds should do it and Obiang can easily afford that much.

M Wilson, Bidache, france

What a superb comment Julian

catherine, Norwich, uk

Simon Mann is one of my candidates for "Briton of the Year". Its great that he had the gall to even think of stealing a country as you put it, but sad that he failed: just take a look at the way the majority of the people live in Equatorial Guinea. Simon when you get out, come over my way!

faraz shauketaly, Colombo, Sri Lanka

The slippery Mark Thatcher will forever be looking over his shoulder. I'll bet he doesn't sleep too well. Perhaps he should get his mummy to sing him lullabies again.

Dr. Jimmy, Nottingham, England

Is it true that there is an outstanding International Warrent for Mark Thatcher? He seems to have gone into hiding.

Frank, Bristol, UK

Perhaps fellow Old Etonian David Cameron can bring him back to be Foreign Secretary and make himself useful by planning a similar trip to Zimbabwe?

Julian, London / Singapore, UK / Singapore