'Racing certainty' that MI6 knew details of Sandline operation
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.BRITISH mercenaries who helped organise a coup in Sierra Leone may have links with the intelligence community, it emerged last night.
MI6-watchers said that if the Secret Intelligence Service did not know about the operation involving Sandline International, a firm of "military consultants", then its head should be sacked. If it did, it had a duty to inform the Foreign Secretary of any illegality that was taking place.
The reinstatement of President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah using arms flown into Guinea from Bulgaria via Nigeria apparently broke a United Nations arms embargo. Sandline has maintained that it was acting with the approval of the government, but a Customs and Excise investigation has been launched.
Senior figures in Sandline have long experience of military intelligence. An employee of another company run from the same London office is a former senior British diplomat and a friend of the British High Commissioner in Sierra Leone, Peter Penfold.
Robin Cook was forced to promise an independent inquiry into the affair this week after it was revealed that Sandline's chief executive, Tim Spicer, met both Mr Penfold and Foreign Office officials.
Two key figures in Sandline have long experience of military intelligence. Rupert Allason, the former Tory MP and editor of Intelligence Quarterly, said it was a "racing certainty" that MI6 knew about the operation.
"If the SIS weren't aware of it then its chief should be sacked. Provided SIS don't become aware of any law-breaking, there would be no reason for it to intervene," he said.
Both Lt-Col Spicer and his deputy, Simon Mann, have been involved in military intelligence. Lt-Col Spicer was a Staff Office director of Special Forces in 1991-92 in charge of "doctrine development" and in 1988-89 he was responsible for intelligence in the 11th Armoured Brigade in Germany.
Simon Mann is a former SAS troop commander specialising in intelligence who has worked as an intelligence expert in Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Nigeria, among other countries.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments