Naomi Campbell's diamond outburst

Apr 23, 2010, 6:01 GMT

Naomi Campbell reportedly attacked a news cameraman as she stormed out of an interview.

The supermodel -renowned for her often violent outbursts - was enraged when she was asked about allegations she received a 'blood diamond' from former African Leader Charles Taylor.

Taylor is currently on trial for crimes against humanity, after a bloody campaign he waged in Sierra Leone between 1997 and 2001, during which time he is alleged to have been involved with 'blood diamonds'.

A 'blood diamond' - also called a 'hot' or 'war' diamond - is a jewel mined in a war zone and sold to aid warlord activity or invading forces' campaigns.

Former Libyan president Taylor is alleged to have given Campbell a "huge" uncut diamond in 1997, while she was staying as a guest of Nelson Mandela in South Africa.

When confronted about the incident by a news crew from US channel ABC, Campbell angrily said: "I didn't receive a blood diamond and I'm not going to speak about that."

She then stormed off, punching the camera a producer at the news station was holding, as he pressed her for further details.

Actress Mia Farrow is the person to bring the alleged diamond to light, telling how Campbell had bragged about receiving it from Taylor.

Farrow said: "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. And we were like, 'Oh, my gosh'.

"You don't forget when a girlfriend tells you she was given a huge diamond in the middle of the night."

Campbell has also refused to speak to the international criminal tribunal against Taylor which is currently being held at The Hague in The Netherlands.

Naomi has previously pled guilty to attacking two police officers at London's Heathrow Airport in 2008 and was sentenced in 2007 to serve community service for attacking a maid. She has also been involved in earlier incidents where she has threatened or attacked people.