'No reason to lie' says supermodel

She 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."

Campbell attended a party hosted by Nelson Mandela in South Africa in September 1997, with guests including actress Mia Farrow and the model's former agent Carole White.

The 40-year-old Londoner told the Special Court for Sierra Leone last Thursday that after the party she received two or three "dirty looking pebbles" from two men who knocked on her bedroom door.

But she said she did not realise they were diamonds and was not told who they were from.

However, over the past two days her evidence has been contradicted by Farrow and Ms White, who both told the court in the Hague, the Netherlands, that Campbell knew the gift was from Taylor.

Campbell was criticised also 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."

Her spokespeople, from The Outside Organisation, said last

night: "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."

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

The statement continued: "She was not on trial in the Hague and was as helpful towards the court as she could be.

"These events took place 13 years ago, many years before Taylor's alleged wrongdoings were known.

"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."

Earlier, Ms White was accused of telling a "complete pack of lies" about a gift to the supermodel of alleged "blood diamonds".

She insisted her account of how ex-Liberian president Charles Taylor gave Campbell the precious stones after she flirted with him was the truth.

She also claimed that the model texted or phoned the African leader or his staff as she excitedly waited for her present to arrive. Ms White maintained she was telling the truth – but admitted she did not actually hear Taylor tell the south London-born model he would give her the diamonds.

"He nodded that he was going to send her diamonds. I didn't hear the words," she said.

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

He denies murder, rape, sexual slavery and recruiting child soldiers. The defence case is expected to be completed by November.