Naomi Campbell: I have no motive to lie

Naomi Campbell had "nothing to gain" from lying during her evidence to the war crimes trial of former Liberian leader Charles Taylor, she said tonight.

The supermodel defended herself in a statement after actress Mia Farrow and her former agent Carole White finished giving their evidence to the Special Court for Sierra Leone in The Hague.

Both women contradicted Campbell's account that she did not know who gave her the gift of diamonds which she was handed after a party hosted by Nelson Mandela in September 1997.

Campbell, 40, said: "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."

She added: "I've never taken any of the jobs offered to me, over my 25 years as a model, from companies that were for apartheid in South Africa."

In court earlier today, Ms White insisted Campbell knew it was Taylor who sent two men to her room in the night to give her the precious stones.

She said the model and the former warlord were flirting with each other over dinner when they arranged for the gift to be delivered.

But defence lawyer Courtenay Griffiths QC said Ms White, who is in a legal dispute with Campbell over alleged unpaid royalties for a perfume deal, had a "powerful motive for lying".

He said to her: "I suggest that your account is a complete pack of lies, and you have made it up in order to assist in your lawsuit against Miss Campbell."

Quoting Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five's 1982 hip-hop single 'The Message', he added: "Put bluntly, for you this is all about money, there ain't nothing funny."

Ms White replied: "It's totally the truth. It has nothing whatsoever to do with my business argument with Naomi Campbell."

She added: "This is not about money, this is about a very serious matter and I am telling the truth."

Campbell, who gave evidence last Thursday, 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."

The statement, from The Outside Organisation, said: "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.

"Regardless of people's recollections it's indisputable and has been confirmed by all witnesses concerned that Naomi handed over the diamonds at the first possible opportunity for the benefit of a South African children's charity."

The statement said Campbell was a "long time supporter of charity work in Africa" and helped to raise "considerable sums".

It said: "The suggestion that Campbell in some way doesn't care about the plight of those suffering in Africa is ridiculous and hurtful."

The model was said to be "glad" the witnesses had been called and the court was now free to continue the "serious business" of reaching a judgment.

The statement said she was "as helpful towards the court as she could be", adding: "She reiterated that the events took place thirteen years ago and it's not surprising that some of the people's recollections of what took place were hazy.

"Having said that, it was clear the Naomi and Mia's version of events were very similar."

Yesterday, Farrow insisted Campbell had arrived at breakfast the morning after the party to tell an "unforgettable" story - that she had received a gift of a diamond from Taylor.

In today's hearing, Ms White, co-founder of Premier Model Management, said she was present at the end of the meal when Campbell and one of Taylor's ministers discussed how the jewels would be delivered to the model.

She said: "It was quite clear that some men had already been dispatched to Johannesburg to collect the diamonds."

The modelling agent said Campbell received updates from Taylor or his staff about the men's progress via phone calls or text messages.

But Mr Griffiths said neither the Liberian president nor any of his entourage had a mobile phone in 1997.

And Ms White admitted she did not hear Taylor say he would make the gift.

She said: "He nodded that he was going to send her diamonds. I didn't hear the words, I don't recall them."

Mr Griffiths challenged her account, saying: "I suggest that this account of what happened that night is a complete fabrication, which is why you are having difficulty dealing with the detail. Do you understand what I'm suggesting?"

She replied: "No."

Ms White also insisted the legal dispute with Campbell was not the motive for her testimony.

She said: "It was my duty to tell my story that happened 13 years ago. I haven't lied and this is a true story."

Taylor is accused of war crimes during Sierra Leone's civil war, including using illicit "blood diamonds" to fund rebels.

He denies 11 charges, including murder, rape, sexual slavery and recruiting child soldiers. The defence case is expected to be completed by the middle of November.