Campbell: I have no reason to lie
Supermodel Naomi Campbell tonight said she had nothing to gain from telling anything other than the truth at the war crimes trial of former Liberian leader Charles Taylor.
She said in a statement: “I’ve no motive here. Nothing to gain.
“I am a black woman who has and will always support good causes especially relating to Africa.”
Campbell attended a party hosted by Nelson Mandela in South Africa in September 1997, with guests including actress Mia Farrow and the model’s former agent Carole White.
The 40-year-old Londoner told the Special Court for Sierra Leone last Thursday that after the party she received two or three “dirty looking pebbles” from two men who knocked on her bedroom door.
But she said she did not realise they were diamonds and was not told who they were from.
However, over the past two days her evidence has been contradicted by Farrow and Ms White, who both told the court in the Hague, the Netherlands, that Campbell knew the gift was from Taylor.
Campbell was criticised for telling the court her appearance was a ``big inconvenience''.
Asked by prosecutor Brenda Hollis if she was nervous, she replied: “I didn’t really want to be here. I was made to be here, so obviously I’m just wanting to get this over with and get on with my life.
“This is a big inconvenience for me. I really don’t want anything to do with this and I care about the protection of my family.”
Her spokespeople, from The Outside Organisation, said tonight: “Campbell accepts the use of the word ’inconvenient’ was a poor choice of word but it was made off the cuff and was taken massively out of context.
“It was in relation to a nonsensical question as to whether or not she was nervous appearing in court!
“Campbell had explained that she had fears for her family having read about Taylor’s alleged crimes on the internet, hence her initial reticence in appearing.”
