§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what subjects were discussed when the UK High Commissioner to Sierra Leone met representatives of Sandline in 1997; and who was present; [34315]
(2) if the UK High Commissioner to Sierra Leone was authorised by Ministers to meet representatives of Sandline in 1997. [34316]
§ Mr. Doug HendersonI refer the hon. Member to the statement my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd) made covering this point in the Adjournment Debate of 12 March 1998,Official Report, columns 844–45.
Peter Penfold, the British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, has confirmed that on no occasion did he attend any meetings at which Sandline and President Kabbah were present together. In the course of his duties Mr. Penfold met a wide range of people including representatives of Sandline Services and affiliates. These contacts did not require prior ministerial approval. Mr. Penfold, who moved to Conakry following the May 1997 military coup in Freetown, used them to help obtain information about Sierra Leone, particularly the security situation in relation to British nationals and interests.