Undercover reporter: I didn’t spike star’s drink

An undercover reporter has told a court he wanted to "expose criminality" about an alleged drug deal involving Tulisa Constostavlos and it was "outrageous" to suggest he spiked the singer’s drink during one of their meetings.

Mazher Mahmood, dubbed the “fake sheikh”, posed as a wealthy film producer called Samir Khan when he met the former X Factor judge at a string of luxury hotels and restaurants, jurors have heard.

Giving evidence at London’s Southwark Crown Court, he denied “manipulating” the 26-year-old after he told her she was being considered for a leading role in a Slumdog Millionaire-type film tipped for Oscar glory alongside possible co-star Leonardo Di Caprio.