British High Commisioner is a 'hero' in Sierra Leone

Up to 30 tonnes of arms and ammunition were allegedly supplied to Sierra Leone

The government of Sierra Leone has described the British High Commissioner, Peter Penfold, at the centre of the political row over alleged British government contacts with mercenaries as a hero. British opposition politicians have been making capital out of the affair, saying it makes a mockery of Prime Minister Tony Blair's professed ethical foreign policy. Our West Africa correspondent Mark Doyle reports from Abidjan:

Most Sierra Leoneans are mystified by the fuss in Britain about the use of mercenaries to help oust the military.

The Sierra Leone government spokesperson, while professing ignorance of the details of just who the High Commissioner may or may not have spoken to, said Mr Penfold was a wonderful friend of democracy and a hero.

The Brotiesh Foreign Minister, Robin Cook, has promised to get to the bottom of the allegations

This was a reference to the British High Commissioner's vocal support for the exiled democratic government before it was restored to power with some assistance from mercenaries.

One Sierra Leonean newspaper has even called for pro-Penfold demonstrations.

While the prospect of demonstrations in favour of a British High Commissioner in the streets of the seaside capital, Freetown, may seem rather bizarre, it's a measure of how seriously Sierra Leoneans take this issue.

Remnants of the unpopular military junta which briefly seized power from the democratic government are still active in the East of the country. These armed groups are reported to be continuing to commit widespread atrocities against civilians.

The ousting of the military junta was highly popular.

Many Sierra Leoneans admire Peter Penfold because he supported the elected President and the allegations about what he may or may not have known about mercenaries are seen by them as a minor detail.