A HAMPSHIRE MP has attacked the decision to extradite one of his constituents, who is accused of plotting to overthrow an African government, as an "outrageous breach" of human rights.

New Forest East MP Julian Lewis said that the removal of ex-SAS officer Simon Mann from Zimbabwe to Equatorial Guinea this month was illegal, and he urged the Government to take action against Zimbabwe.

Dr Lewis claimed that Equatorial Guinea president Teodoro Obiang Nguema had promised to "sodomise him, skin him alive and drag him through the streets of that capital city".

However, Foreign Secretary David Milliband told the Commons during question time that Mr Mann's treatment was being monitored and authorities had told the British Government that he would be "treated well in detention."

Mr Mann, 55, of Inchmery House, near Lepe, is accused of leading an attempt to oust President Nguema.

The Old Etonian was arrested with 66 other alleged mercenaries when their plane was impounded in Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, in 2004.

He has always insisted that they were en route to the Democratic Republic of Congo to help secure diamond mines.

Mr Mann was jailed in Zimbabwe on arms charges the same year, released for good behaviour in May 2007 and then re-arrested.

Dr Lewis said: "Simon Mann, having served his sentence in Zimbabwe, has been illegally handed over by Zimbabwe to a dictator in Equatorial Guinea who has promised to sodomise him, skin him alive and drag him through to the streets of that capital city.

"What can the Government do to take steps against Zimbabwe for this outrageous breach of my constituent's human rights when he was handed over before the appeal procedures were completed?"

Mr Milliband replied by telling MPs that British officials had visited Mr Mann, and added: "Our first priority is Mr Mann's immediate welfare and the legal case against him which is why we have put such emphasis on consular access which has now been granted.

"I am pleased that we have received assurances from the Equatorial Guinean authorities that Mr Mann will be treated well in detention. That is something we are obviously monitoring through continued consular access.

"A number of welfare points were raised during the visit on February 12 and we are taking them up but you are right to raise both the humanitarian and legal sides of this case.

"They are our current focus. We can then turn to the role of the government of Zimbabwe when Mr Mann's future has been determined."