Diplomat Peter Penfold has been criticised by MPs probing his role in the arms-to-Africa affair.

The role of Mr Penfold, of Fisherman's Wharf, Abingdon, as High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, came under close scrutiny from the Foreign Affairs Select Committee yesterday.

The MPs were probing the part played by the London-based mercenary group Sandline in supplying arms to oust rebels - a move in breach of a United Nations arms embargo.

The head of the Diplomatic Service, Sir John Kerr, was singled out for his 'appalling failure' to properly brief ministers after he learned last March that Customs and Excise were investigating the mercenary firm Sandline.

But Mr Penfold was also strongly criticised for his failure to inform the Foreign Office about plans for Sandline to ship the arms for a counter coup being mounted against the government in Sierra Leone.

The committee concluded that the Foreign Office had sunk to an all-time low under Robin Cook's stewardship.

MPs acknowledged Mr Penfold's bravery in saving lives during the 1997 coup and said he should not be made the "fall guy" for the whole arms-to-Africa affair.

The report said: "He should have deduced that British policy would have been to prevent all arms sales to Sierra Leone."

Mr Penfold was involved in discussions with Tim Spicer, head of the mercenary firm Sandline International, and although he believed he was acting in Britain's best interest, the report said his actions went far beyond Government policy.

But in his defence, Sir John Stanley argued that every single document Mr Penfold received from the Foreign Office described the arms embargo as applying only to the military junta which seized power in Sierra Leone.

The committee issued a series of recommendations to ensure that any future embargo was properly understood and publicised both within the Foreign Office and outside.

Story date: Wednesday 10 February

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