Mark Thatcher has been the bane of his mother’s existence for all of her political life: from his involvement in illegal arms dealing to getting lost in the Sahara desert while participating in an international car race. And now, in addition to causing her more emotional anguish and public embarrassment, he has sullied her good name with the stains of criminality and mercenary profiteering.
Last week, the United States rejected Thatcher’s visa application because he recently pleaded guilty in a South African court to conspiracy to overthrow the government of Equatorial Guinea. He was fined a half million dollars (which his Mummy paid) and given a four-year suspended sentence.
Mark and Maggie after his plea deal: Good show Mummy! Gosh, what a balmy day, eh?
Thatcher conspired with a gang of about 70 mercenaries (neo-colonialists) to overthrow President Nguema and take control of the massive oil reserves that make Equatorial Guinea Africa’s third-largest oil producer. But on 8 March 2004 when they attempted to execute their plot, they only made it as far as the Zimbabwe airport. They had hoped to pick-up the weapons for their coup d’etat but instead were arrested without incident.
As the financial swindler funding the operation (this Mama’s boy is no fighter), Thatcher escaped capture and fought extradition from South Africa with all of the money and influence his Mummy could muster (which, of course, was quite considerable). And, where the others involved were imprisoned and tortured (at least one of them to death), Thatcher was detained by South African authorities but soon released on bail pending trial.
Of course, his plea arrangement ended his legal jeopardy. But, being banned from America – where he sought to be reunited in Dallas, Texas with his American wife and their children – proves that the consequences for Thatcher this time around are far more severe than he might have imagined. Indeed, after bringing her influence to bear in negotiating his plea deal with South African authorities, Margaret Thatcher said with great expectation that:
This has been a difficult time for all of the family – obviously I am delighted that it has been brought to an end. I know that what matters to Mark now is to be reunited with Diane and the children as soon as possible.
Dash it! Alas, not even his Mummy had sufficient influence to get the United States to waive its rule on denying visas to convicted felons. But ever the family man, Thatcher has vowed to “make the family home in Europe, not the UK, and my family will be joining me as soon as arrangements are made.” Sure Mark….
Now then Mummy, how did you get along with that Frenchman, Jacques Chirac?
News and Politics
Anonymous says
margaret need to use tough iove.
Anonymous says
They should have had him hanged on live TV