Naomi Campbell could be called in war crimes trial

The fiery supermodel Naomi Campbell could be forced to give evidence at the war crimes trial of the African warlord Charles Taylor, former President of Liberia. Prosecutors in The Hague want her subpoenaed to explain the allegation that she was once given a "blood diamond" by Taylor after a dinner in South Africa hosted by Nelson Mandela.

Until now, Campbell has always refused to answer questions about the alleged gift, which was revealed by the actress and human rights activist Mia Farrow, who was also at the Mandela dinner in 1997.

Last month, Campbell stormed out of an interview with ABC News when she was asked about the alleged gift. "I didn't receive a diamond and I'm not going to speak about that," she said.

But Farrow, who had already given evidence about the blood diamond to the war crimes tribunal, told ABC News that the supermodel had admitted to the gift at breakfast, the morning after the dinner.

"Naomi Campbell came down... she said during the night some men had knocked on her door and she, half-asleep, had opened the door and it was representatives of President Charles Taylor and that they had given her a huge diamond."

Farrow added: "And we were like, 'Oh, my gosh¹."

On camera, Farrow urged Campbell to testify against Taylor, saying: "Step up and do your part."

Blood diamonds, alternatively known as conflict diamonds, are those mined in rebel-held regions of Africa and used to fund wars. The diamond Taylor is believed to have given Campbell is said to have come from rebels in Sierra Leone. It is thought to have been taken to South Africa to be sold to fund the purchase of weapons - before Taylor decided to give it the supermodel. ·