British government denies new Sierra Leone allegations

The British Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook, has rebutted fresh allegations that the government colluded with mercenaries who flew weapons to Sierra Leone in apparent breach of a United Nations embargo.

The Sunday Times newspaper in London printed pictures showing Royal Navy technicians servicing a helicopter flown by mercenaries in the Sierra Leone capital, Freetown, shortly after it had fallen to the Nigerian-led intervention force, ECOMOG.

Mr Cook said the helicopter in question was being used by ECOMOG and the Royal Navy technicians were there on a humanitarian mission.

He said the involvement of the mercenary firm, Sandline International, which was running air operations for ECOMOG, had helped produce a positive outcome: the restoration of a democratic government.

He repeated that there would be an independent inquiry into allegations that UN sanctions were breached with the knowledge of British officials.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service