Thatcher: Distressed

Baroness Thatcher has returned from a holiday in the US amid continuing controversy surrounding her son.

The 78-year-old former premier was escorted by armed protection officers as she arrived back at her Belgravia home.

She made no comment to waiting reporters.

Despite her public silence Baroness Thatcher is said to be concerned at her son's arrest on charges relating to support for an alleged coup attempt against the government of Equatorial Guinea.

Sir Mark Thatcher is alleged to have been a co-funder of the plot to overthrow the regime in the small oil-rich African state.

He was charged and bailed on Wednesday and is now under house arrest in South Africa.

It is reported that the government of Equatorial Guinea wants him extradited to face charges of supporting mercenaryism and terrorism.

The country still retains the death penalty for serious crimes and has expressed confidence that the South African courts will back his extradition.

Meanwhile back in London Baroness Thatcher, whose husband Sir Denis died last year, is being supported by her daughter Carol.

No comment

Arriving at her mother's five-story central London home, the journalist said: "I don't know anything about it at all, I'm very sorry."

But a source close to the former prime minister has confirmed her distress at the events surrounding her son.

Lord Bell said the former prime minister was "obviously distressed about the fact her son appears to be in some difficulty".

"She is very confident about the South African legal process and she is sure he will be cleared and named innocent at the end of it," he added.

Sir Mark is protesting his innocence, claiming he had nothing to do with the planned coup.

He has also dismissed reports that he was set to flee to America at this time of his arrest.

Meanwhile police in South Africa have said they would like to question disgraced former Tory vice-chairman Lord Archer following claims that he made a payment to the alleged coup ringleader.

Lawyers for Lord Archer have insisted he had no involvement with the coup plans.