British mercenary chief free to leave Papua

Tim Spicer, the Briton detained in Papua New Guinea for more than three weeks after an aborted mercenary operation, was told yesterday he was free to leave after illegal firearm charges against him were dropped.

Mr Spicer, 44, has completed giving evidence at an inquiry into his mission which saw the Papuan army rebel and force the Prime Minister, Sir Julius Chan, from office.The former Scots Guard had pleaded not guilty to illegally possessing a pistol and 40 rounds of ammunition, but the charges were dropped. Reuters - Port Moresby