Campbell’s former agent denies lying over Taylor ‘blood diamonds gift’

LONDON - Naomi Campbell’s former agent Carole White has denied lying in her testimony at the war crimes trial of ex-Liberian President Charles Taylor over the ‘blood diamonds gift’ to the super-model.

Under cross-examination, White repeated allegations that Campbell received diamonds from Taylor after a dinner in South Africa in 1997.

Defence counsel Courtenay Griffiths called her account “a complete pack of lies” made up to assist a lawsuit over breach of contract with Ms Campbell.

“It’s not a lie,” BBC News quoted White as saying.

The former agent is suing Campbell for breach of contract, claiming that the model owes her about 600,000 dollars (375,000 pounds) in lost earnings over the past two years.

“Put bluntly,” said Griffiths, “For you this is all about money, there ain’t nothing funny.”

White responded by saying, “I can categorically tell you, this happened. I told people about it after the journey, people that I trusted. It was quite funny at the time. It’s not so funny now.”

“It has nothing whatsoever to do with my business argument with Naomi Campbell.”

“This is not about money. This is about a very serious matter and I am telling the truth,” White added.

Campbell has defended her evidence, saying she had nothing to gain from not telling the truth. (ANI)