Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

Food

Nigella Lawson's Ex-Husband Has 'Never, Never Seen Any Evidence' Of Drug Use

nigellalawsonyaw.jpg
Photo via Nigella Lawson on Facebook

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

The ugly allegations of rampant drug use against celebrity chef Nigella Lawson have taken another interesting turn: now her ex-husband is denying any evidence of Lawson's drug habit. Variety reports that art dealer Charles Saatchi told a London court that, "[he has] never, never seen any evidence of Nigella taking any drug whatsoever."

The statement was delivered during the trial of sisters and former Lawson assistants Francesca and Elisabetta Grillo, who are charged with using company credit cards to rack up over $1.2 million in purchases. The sisters claimed they were free to buy whatever they want, so long as they kept quiet about Lawson's alleged drug use.

Saatchi's statement would, of course, contradict an email he sent to Lawson on October 10 that mentioned her alleged habits.

"Of course now the Grillo sisters will get off on the basis that you, [and daughter] Mimi were so off your heads on drugs that you allowed the sisters to spend whatever they liked," Saatchi wrote. "And yes, I believe every word they have said."

Lawson and Saatchi separated in June after Saatchi was photographed choking Lawson in the middle of a busy restaurant. After the split, Lawson moved to L.A., where she has served as a judge on the television series "The Taste."

Despite the allegations against Lawson, ABC has said that there are currently no plans to cancel "The Taste."

Related:
Nigella Lawson Accused Of Cocaine Use And Pill-Popping For Over Ten Years

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today