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Nigella Lawson and Charles Saatchi PAs cleared of fraud Nigella Lawson and Charles Saatchi PAs cleared of fraud
(35 minutes later)
Two sisters who worked as personal assistants for Nigella Lawson and Charles Saatchi have been cleared of defrauding the couple.Two sisters who worked as personal assistants for Nigella Lawson and Charles Saatchi have been cleared of defrauding the couple.
Francesca Grillo, 35, and her sister Elisabetta, 41, had denied spending £685,000 on credit cards belonging to the TV cook and her ex-husband.Francesca Grillo, 35, and her sister Elisabetta, 41, had denied spending £685,000 on credit cards belonging to the TV cook and her ex-husband.
They claimed Ms Lawson authorised them to spend the money as she wanted to hide her cocaine use.They claimed Ms Lawson authorised them to spend the money as she wanted to hide her cocaine use.
Scotland Yard said it would not investigate the allegations. Scotland Yard said it would not investigate the drug-taking allegation.
But detectives will review the decision if new evidence comes to light, it added. But detectives will review the decision if new evidence comes to light, a spokesperson added.
Solicitor Richard Cannon said the sisters were "naturally relieved" by the verdict, following a "long, hard fight played out in the gaze of the world's media".Solicitor Richard Cannon said the sisters were "naturally relieved" by the verdict, following a "long, hard fight played out in the gaze of the world's media".
Scotland Yard said it would not investigate claims that Ms Lawson took cocaine but will review the decision if new evidence comes to light.
The trial at Isleworth Crown Court heard the sisters used credit cards loaned to them by the couple to buy designer goods from Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior and Vivienne Westwood.The trial at Isleworth Crown Court heard the sisters used credit cards loaned to them by the couple to buy designer goods from Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior and Vivienne Westwood.
'No drug problem''No drug problem'
Francesca was accused of spending the largest amount on herself with a sum of £580,000.Francesca was accused of spending the largest amount on herself with a sum of £580,000.
But the sisters insisted all of their purchases had been authorised.But the sisters insisted all of their purchases had been authorised.
The pair claimed Ms Lawson consented to their spending as they were "intimately connected to her private life and were aware of the drug use which she wanted to keep from her then-husband Charles Saatchi".The pair claimed Ms Lawson consented to their spending as they were "intimately connected to her private life and were aware of the drug use which she wanted to keep from her then-husband Charles Saatchi".
Giving evidence, Ms Lawson admitted taking cocaine a handful of times with her late husband John Diamond and once during her marriage to Mr Saatchi.Giving evidence, Ms Lawson admitted taking cocaine a handful of times with her late husband John Diamond and once during her marriage to Mr Saatchi.
She denied being an addict or having a drug problem. The television cook said she was "not proud" but would rather be "honest and ashamed" about what she had done.She denied being an addict or having a drug problem. The television cook said she was "not proud" but would rather be "honest and ashamed" about what she had done.
Neither defendant was in court to hear the verdicts. Elisabetta, who was rushed to hospital on Thursday night after a panic attack, was with her sister in another room in the court as the verdicts were read out. She had collapsed again earlier as she arrived at the building.
Elisabetta, who was rushed to hospital on Thursday night after a panic attack, was with her sister in another room in the court. She had collapsed again earlier as she arrived at the building. After hearing the verdicts, Francesca declared in Italian "There is a God."
After hearing the verdicts, Francesca could be seen smiling and talking in Italian on her phone as she was hugged by a supporter. Her barrister, Ms Arden, was seen in the court foyer, proclaiming to her client: "C'e un Dio." She replied "c'e un Dio" and the pair embraced.
Speaking outside court, the sisters' solicitor Richard Cannon said: "Elisabetta and Francesca would like to thank their friends and relatives for their love and support. Speaking outside court, the sisters' solicitor Mr Cannon said: "Elisabetta and Francesca would like to thank their friends and relatives for their love and support.
"Additionally they would like to thank those members of the public who have expressed their best wishes."Additionally they would like to thank those members of the public who have expressed their best wishes.
"Finally they have asked me to thank their legal team for their hard work.""Finally they have asked me to thank their legal team for their hard work."
Asked how Elisabetta was after her collapse this morning, he said: "Very well".Asked how Elisabetta was after her collapse this morning, he said: "Very well".
Anthony Metzer QC, representing Elisabetta, said his client was "relieved" and "crying her eyes out".Anthony Metzer QC, representing Elisabetta, said his client was "relieved" and "crying her eyes out".
He said it had been a "stressful case" and said the "medical issues" in relation to Elisabetta made it even harder.He said it had been a "stressful case" and said the "medical issues" in relation to Elisabetta made it even harder.
Addressing claims that Ms Lawson took cocaine, a Scotland Yard spokesman said: "Allegations that one of the (alleged) victims was involved in taking class A drugs have been made during the course of this trial.
"At this stage the Metropolitan Police will not be investigating these allegations.
"Should any evidence, and that includes material from the trial, that could be investigated come to light this decision will be reviewed."
The Grillos, of Kensington Gardens Square, Bayswater, west London, each denied a single count of committing fraud by using a company credit card for personal gain between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2012.The Grillos, of Kensington Gardens Square, Bayswater, west London, each denied a single count of committing fraud by using a company credit card for personal gain between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2012.
After the three-week trial, the jury of seven men and five women rejected the prosecution's claims that the purchases on the cards had been unauthorised.After the three-week trial, the jury of seven men and five women rejected the prosecution's claims that the purchases on the cards had been unauthorised.