Charles Saatchi has told a court he is ‘utterly bereft’ over the entire text of an email he sent to Nigella Lawson becoming public, in which he claimed she took class A drugs.
The 70-year-old also said he was ‘utterly heartbroken that I have lost Nigella’ and ‘wished this past year had never happened’ in the case against former aides Francesca and Elisabetta Grillo at Isleworth Crown Court.
Mr Saatchi’s email, which was read out in full, suggested Ms Lawson had a cocaine habit which had been a contributory factor in the Grillos being permitted to spend on credit cards given to them by their employers.
He told the court: ‘I’m utterly bereft that this private email to Nigella has come back to haunt us both. That’s all I have to say.
‘The stories that the Grillos were parading was that Nigella had a severe cocaine habit that stretched back a very long time for the entirety of our marriage.
‘What I was speculating here was that the Grillos would use this as a defence.’
MORE: ‘Nigella Lawson treats us worse than slaves’, sisters claimed
The court also heard further details about their marriage – including that the divorce came about, in part, at her feeling restricted and needing a ‘pass’ in order to do what she liked.
The full email said: ‘Nigella, I was sent this by a newspaper and could only laugh at your sorry depravity.
‘Of course now the Grillo sisters will get off on the basis that you and Mimi [Ms Lawson’s daughter Cosima] were so off your heads on drugs you allowed the sisters to spend whatever they liked.
‘And yes, I believe every word the Grillos have said, after all, they only stole money.
‘You, Higella, on the other hand, poisoned your child with drugs and trashed her life but I’m sure it was all good fun and now everything is perfect today.
‘Bravo, you have become a celebrity hostess on a global TV game show and you got the Pass you desired, free to heartily enjoy all the drugs you want forever. Classy!’
And he added: ‘I’m utterly heartbroken that I have lost Nigella and I wish this past year had never happened.
MORE: Nigella Lawson ‘drug lies let sisters take £700,000’
‘If you think this process is giving me any pleasure, you’re mistaken. I hate it.
‘I adore Nigella now, I absolutely adore Nigella and I’m broken-hearted to have lost her.’
Mr Saatchi’s former personal assistants deny a charge of fraud. The case continues.
