Ely Calil, the London tycoon alleged by Simon Mann to have master-minded the plot against President Obiang, last night denied involvement in anything other than efforts to bring about democratic change in the country. The Nigerian-born businessman said he had financed a plan to return Severo Moto, the opposition leader living in exile in Spain, to Equatorial Guinea but “there was no coup plot”.

“Severo’s belief was that, if he was protected in his home town and could remain alive for a few days, a political storm would occur that would sweep away the present regime” he said.

The plot that Mann had detailed was “pure fantasy”, dreamed up by the Equatoguinean authorities for political reasons and confirmed by Mann to save his own skin, he claimed.

Mr Calil told The Daily Telegraph that Mann could only blame himself. “It was his lack of professionalism, his lack of discretion, his lack of judgment that caused this situation.” He rejected claims that Mark Thatcher was part of the coup team and acknowledged that his support of Mr Moto would have allowed him to profit from commercial opportunities, but said he now wanted nothing to do with the country.

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