The British leader of an alleged coup plot against the government of oil-rich Equatorial Guinea has been jailed for seven years by a court in Zimbabwe.
Former British special forces officer Simon Mann was found guilty last month of seeking to possess dangerous weapons.
Mann was convicted just days after South African police arrested Sir Mark Thatcher, the son of former British prime minister Baroness Margaret Thatcher, and charged him with involvement in financing the coup plot.
Sir Mark denies the charges and was released on bail by a Cape Town magistrate.
A Tory MP later called on the British government today to seek Mr Mann's release.
Mr Henry Bellingham, who has known him since their schooldays, said: "He has always been an adventurer - but a thoroughly professional one.
"This just isn't his style, which is one of huge professionalism and making sure he is acting within the law.
He also questioned the Zimbabwean legal system which he said has been "discredited".
The court today also handed 16-month sentences to the two pilots of a plane that landed in Zimbabwe carrying dozens of suspected mercenaries in March.
The 65 men who were on the plane, convicted of immigration offences, were given 12 month sentences.
A total of 84 foreigners, mostly South Africans, have been put on trial in Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea on charges of involvement in an attempted coup in the latter country.
