Nigella Lawson accused her ex-husband, Charles Saatchi, of threatening to “destroy” her as she gave evidence today in the trial of their former personal assistants on fraud charges.

Nigella Lawson arrived at court today as she prepares to give evidence in the trial of two of her former personal assistants.

Charles Saatchi told a court today that he held the neck of his former wife Nigella Lawson last June “to make her focus”.

Charles Saatchi has told a court he was “utterly bereft” that a private email he sent to ex-wife Nigella Lawson referring to her being off her head on drugs has been made public.

Two personal assistants to Charles Saatchi and his ex-wife Nigella Lawson complained they were “being treated worse than Filipino slaves” when they were confronted over their alleged spending sprees at the couple’s expense.

Two personal assistants to Charles Saatchi and his ex-wife Nigella Lawson complained they were “being treated worse than Filipino slaves” when they were confronted over their alleged spending sprees at the couple’s expense, a court has heard.

TV cook Nigella Lawson was described as a “habitual criminal” in court today.