Simon Mann, the former British special forces officer, was on Monday sentenced to 34 years and four months in prison for his role in a failed attempt to overthrow the government of oil-rich Equatorial Guinea.

Mr Mann had asked for clemency during his four-day trial last month in Malabo, the capital, saying he was merely an ”employee” used by tycoons intent on seizing control of the West African country, which exports oil and gas to the US and Europe.