Family of old Etonian mercenary Simon Mann fear he is being tortured after British consul is denied access to him

A British consul flew to Equatorial Guinea last Tuesday but has been given no access to the failed coup plotter, who has not been seen for nearly a week.

The diplomatic snub prompted worries that old Etonian Mann, 55, who is being held in the notorious Black Beach prison, is in no fit state to receive official visitors.

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He was extradited from Zimbabwe to the oil-rich country at the request of dictator Teodoro Obiang Nguema, who reportedly vowed he would personally sodomise Mann and skin him alive.

A spokesman for Mann's family said: "The family is deeply alarmed that after six days the consul has still not been allowed access. It's even more distressing that the regime has not allowed Simon to speak to the consul on the phone."

The West African nation's government said Mann will be tried for treason for allegedly plotting to overthrow its president in 2004. It claims he will receive "a fair trial".

But his 41-year-old wife Amanda fears for his safety.

Last night, a friend said:

"We are genuinely fearful that the torture of Simon has begun. We think the reason for this complete snub to the Foreign Office is because Simon may already be beaten or tortured. There is huge concern whether the Foreign Office has any teeth at all."

Mann has been seen publicly only once since landing in Equatorial Guinea. Footage of him in jail was shown on state TV on Wednesday. His family say it was taken earlier.

He was seen on Tuesday by a U.S. envoy in the country, who said Mann was well and had his own cell in the prison's "executive wing".

But British diplomatic sources said there is growing concern for his fate, considering Equatorial Guinea's human rights record.

One said: "He was taken completely illegally and faces a very, very serious charge and sentence - draw your own conclusions."

Law Lords in London have refused to go on hearing a case brought by Equatorial Guinea over the alleged coup because of the row over access. Nguema is suing Mann and others for £2.5million compensation.

Mann was jailed by Robert Mugabe in 2004 for allegedly buying weapons for a coup attempt. But he disappeared from his Zimbabwean prison during an appeal against his extradition to Equatorial Guinea.

Last night, the Foreign Office said: "We continue to push for access. We are doing everything we can."