Witness in Charles Taylor war crimes trial denies lying to pursue suit against Naomi Campbell

Ex-agent insists Naomi Campbell is lying about gem

LEIDSCHENDAM, Netherlands — Naomi Campbell’s former agent is denying fabricating her testimony that the fashion model acknowledged receiving diamonds from former Liberian President Charles Taylor, who is on trial for war crimes.

Carole White says she was present in 1997 when Campbell told the man who headed the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund the diamonds came from Taylor, who is accused of trading in conflict diamonds in exchange for supporting rebels in Sierra Leone.

Campbell testified earlier she did not know the source or value of the stones she received.

Taylor’s lawyer Courtenay Griffiths accused White of lying to help her case against her former client, whom she is suing for millions of dollars.

White told the court Tuesday her account was true.