Ananova:

Scotland Yard counter terrorism detectives are preparing to question freed mercenary Simon Mann, who has returned to Britain.

In a statement at Luton Airport, Mann said coming back to the UK was "the most wonderful homecoming I could ever have imagined".

Officers want to quiz the Old Etonian and ex-SAS soldier over a bungled Equatorial Guinea coup which left him facing a 34-year jail sentence.

He was freed from prison in the oil-rich West African state after serving just 15 months.

Serious questions remain over the 2004 plot to topple Equatorial Guinea's government and install opposition leader Severo Moto. The plan collapsed when Mann and a team of up to 70 mercenaries were held on a airport runway in Harare, Zimbabwe, in March 2004.

Mann, 57, claimed during his trial that several other prominent figures helped to organise and finance the plot in London.

He told the court Sir Mark Thatcher, son of former prime minister Baroness Thatcher, was "part of the management team".

Sir Mark was given a suspended sentence in South Africa in relation to funding the operation. He has always denied any knowledge that a coup was being plotted and issued a statement on Tuesday welcoming news of Mann's release.

Lebanese-born London businessman Ely Calil has also been implicated in the plot. He too denies any wrongdoing.

South African arms dealer Nick Du Toit was sentenced to 34 years in prison as a result of the case. Four other men - Mr du Toit, Sergio Cardoso, Jose Domingos and George Alerson were also granted pardons for their part in the plot.