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| Charles Saatchi and Nigella Lawson's marriage 'culture of secrecy' | Charles Saatchi and Nigella Lawson's marriage 'culture of secrecy' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| There was a "culture of secrecy" in Charles Saatchi and Nigella Lawson's marriage, a court has heard. | There was a "culture of secrecy" in Charles Saatchi and Nigella Lawson's marriage, a court has heard. |
| It emerged during legal argument in the case involving their personal assistants who are accused of fraud. | It emerged during legal argument in the case involving their personal assistants who are accused of fraud. |
| Sisters Francesca, 35, and Elisabetta Grillo, 41, deny spending £300,000 on the couple's credit cards. | Sisters Francesca, 35, and Elisabetta Grillo, 41, deny spending £300,000 on the couple's credit cards. |
| Isleworth Crown Court has already heard how Mr Saatchi accused Ms Lawson of allowing their staff to spend to cover her use of drugs. | Isleworth Crown Court has already heard how Mr Saatchi accused Ms Lawson of allowing their staff to spend to cover her use of drugs. |
| 'Manipulation of court' | |
| The judge ruled the case against the Grillo sisters can go ahead, despite the defence lawyer arguing his clients would not get a fair trial. | The judge ruled the case against the Grillo sisters can go ahead, despite the defence lawyer arguing his clients would not get a fair trial. |
| Judge Robin Johnson said: "I consider, with the right rulings and the ability to monitor the process of the court during the process of the trial, a fair trial can be achieved." | Judge Robin Johnson said: "I consider, with the right rulings and the ability to monitor the process of the court during the process of the trial, a fair trial can be achieved." |
| The sisters, both of Bayswater, west London, deny fraudulently using company credit cards to buy luxuries, including designer clothes and first-class air travel, between 2008 and 2012. | |
| Anthony Metzer QC said his clients would not be able to receive a fair trial "as there has been a manipulation of the court process by the two main prosecution witnesses in this case". | Anthony Metzer QC said his clients would not be able to receive a fair trial "as there has been a manipulation of the court process by the two main prosecution witnesses in this case". |
| He said: "It's a convenient forum for Mr Saatchi and Ms Lawson to rehearse disputed issues between them... in the criminal courts where, of course, the possibility of libel is not possible. | He said: "It's a convenient forum for Mr Saatchi and Ms Lawson to rehearse disputed issues between them... in the criminal courts where, of course, the possibility of libel is not possible. |
| "If Mr Saatchi is telling the truth, then Ms Lawson is a habitual criminal." | "If Mr Saatchi is telling the truth, then Ms Lawson is a habitual criminal." |
| Held by throat | |
| During the hearing Mr Metzer read out part of a statement from Mr Saatchi, which said: "It was only during the break-up that I became aware that she was taking drugs when we were married. | |
| "I can't remember precisely when but I think it was in June 2013, at the time of the well-publicised incident at Scott's restaurant in Mayfair. | |
| "It was subsequently confirmed to me by other people in and around the household." | |
| Mr Saatchi and Ms Lawson broke up in the summer after pictures were published showing the millionaire art dealer holding his wife by the throat at Scott's restaurant in Mayfair. | |
| Mr Saatchi accepted a police caution for assault. | |
| Earlier, Ms Lawson tweeted: "Holiday Hotcake: the perfect recipe to show thanks for all your support & to those who hashtag #teamNigella". |