Supermodel 'first met Taylor at Mandela dinner'

Supermodel Naomi Campbell told a court today that she met former Liberian leader Charles Taylor for the “first time” at a dinner hosted by Nelson Mandela.

Giving evidence to the war crimes trial at The Hague, Campbell said Taylor arrived during a meal with the former South African president in September 1997.

Campbell confirmed that Taylor attended the event and said it was “the first time I met him”.

She added: “He showed up to the dinner just after we had all been seated and we had already started dinner.”

Campbell is said to have received a “blood diamond” from Taylor, who faces charges including criminal responsibility for murder, rape, sexual slavery and the use of child soldiers.

The 40-year-old model, from Streatham, south London, refused to take part in the trial at the Special Court for Sierra Leone in The Hague until she was issued with a subpoena.

She arrived at the courthouse in The Hague surrounded by police officers. She did not speak to reporters outside.