Campbell 'Blood Diamonds' Story Disputed

Naomi Campbell's ex-agent has claimed the supermodel knew she was going to be given diamonds by the former Liberian president Charles Taylor.

Contradicting Campbell's account from last week, Carole White told Taylor's war crimes trial he was "flirting" with the supermodel during a charity meal hosted by Nelson Mandela in 1997 in South Africa - and a promise of diamonds was made.
She told the court: "Whilst we were eating, Naomi leant back and Charles Taylor leant forward, Naomi Campbell was very excited and she told me he was going to give her some diamonds."
Taylor, 62, is on trial at The Hague for his alleged role in the 1991-2001 civil war in Sierra Leone that claimed some 120,000 lives.
It is claimed the illegally-mined blood diamonds were used to arm rebels who murdered, raped and maimed Sierra Leoneans.

She said she had been wakened by some men who were knocking at the door...they had been sent by Charles Taylor and they gave her a huge diamond

Mia Farrow on what Naomi Campbell told her in 1997

Ms White said arrangements were made during dinner by a "minister" - and the gems were later delivered by two men to her and Campbell's guesthouse.
She added that she did not know how the two men had evaded security at the presidential compound in Pretoria.
When asked repeatedly whether the men had said they were from Liberia or sent by Taylor, she said: "No."
According to Ms White, Campbell was "quite disappointed" because the diamonds looked like dirty stones and "were not very impressive".
The pair had agreed to give them to the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund because it was illegal to take the diamonds out of the country.

Campbell said last week she did not know who had given her diamonds

During her appearance, Campbell had said she received a pouch of "dirty looking pebbles" in the middle of the night from unknown men - and did not know who they were from.
Earlier, actress Mia Farrow also disputed the supermodel's account, saying an "excited" Campbell told her she had received a "huge diamond" from Taylor.
In a dramatic twist, it emerged Ms White is involved in a breach of contract dispute with Campbell that could be worth around £4million following the termination of a perfume agreement.
As defence lawyer Courtenay Griffiths tried to discredit her, she rejected claims she had a "motive in lying about Naomi Campbell...to provide ammunition for use against her in the law suit".

Mia Farrow has claimed Campbell received a 'huge diamond'

The court was also shown pictures of an alleged "blood diamond party" - held last Thursday, the day of Campbell's testimony - by employees of Ms White.
She was shown pictures on Facebook, posted by one of her booking agents, including a photo in which she appeared.
One of the picture captions described a "blood diamond night" - but White said the gathering was for the opening of a new modelling house.
She said she "never styled anything as a blood diamond party" and denied any knowledge of it being referred to as such.

Ms White's employees posted pics of a 'Blood Diamond Evening' on Facebook

Prosecutors want to prove Taylor took rough diamonds to South Africa in 1997 "to sell...or exchange them for weapons" for Sierra Leone rebels.
Speaking outside court, Sky News' Alex Rossi described it as a "disastrous day" for the prosecution in which the "credibility of all the witnesses was called into account".
Rossi added: "We know uncut diamonds were present - all of the witnesses say that was the case. What the judges have been left with is a compelling inference.
"The prosecution is hoping the conclusion they will be able to draw is that Charles Taylor did have his hands on blood diamonds, something he has always denied."
Ms White's evidence is due to continue on Tuesday.