‘Bereft’ Saatchi denies knowing Nigella used drug

Art dealer 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 on drugs has been made public.

The email he wrote to the celebrity chef was read in full to jurors but, when asked if he believed allegations that Ms Lawson was a habitual cocaine user, the art dealer said: “I do not know.”

“If you ask me whether I actually knew whether Nigella ever took drugs, the answer is no,” Mr Saatchi told Isleworth Crown Court in west London, where his former personal assistants are on trial accused of fraud.