Sandline International: Ownership

HL Deb 17 November 1998 vol 594 cc148-9WA

Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they sought or received information from Lt. Col. Tim Spicer on the directors and shareholders of Sandline. [HL3760]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

At a meeting at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 19 January 1998, information on the ownership of Sandline was sought from Lt. Col. Tim Spicer. No clear information was obtained.

HM Customs and Excise also interviewed Lt. Col. Spicer during their investigation into the supply of arms to Sierra Leone. Any information received would have been solely for the purpose of the criminal investigation. We are therefore unable to comment on whether Customs and Excise sought or received such details.