Nigella Lawson and Charles Saatchi marriage 'secrecy'

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.

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.

Nigella Lawson and Charles Saatchi were granted a divorce in July

'Manipulation of court'

Anthony Metzer QC, representing the Italian sisters, told the court: "The defendants' case is that Nigella Lawson lied to her ex-husband about her drug use and about the expenditure that was incurred by the defendants, both expressly and implicitly, because she was fearful of Mr Saatchi's reaction if he knew about the extent of the expenditure and drug use.

"There was a culture of secrecy within Nigella Lawson's marriage."

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."

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.

Defence lawyers argued the Grillo sisters would not get a fair trial, but the judge disagreed

Mr Metzer 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.

"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 the 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".