Nigella Lawson accused her ex-husband Charles Saatchi today of threatening to "destroy" her as she gave evidence in the trial of their former personal assistants on fraud charges.
Ms Lawson, 53, was greeted by dozens of photographers and television crews from around the world outside Isleworth Crown Court in west London as she arrived this morning.
It is alleged that between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2012, sisters Elisabetta, sometimes referred to as Lisa, and Francesca Grillo committed fraud by abusing their positions as PAs by using a company credit card for personal gain.
Ms Lawson said: "I have been put on trial here where I am called to answer, and glad to answer the allegations, and the world's press, and it comes after a long summer of bullying and abuse.
"I find it's another chapter in that."
She admitted she had been reluctant to give evidence in the trial, and spoke of her ex-husband Mr Saatchi's reaction to her reluctance.
"He had said to me if I didn't get back to him and clear his name he would destroy me," she said.
Ms Lawson said following the "awful incident at Scotts [restaurant]", false allegations of drug use began circulating on a "PR blog".
She said these allegations on the blog were "dedicated to salvaging Mr Saatchi's reputation and destroying mine".
Speaking about Lisa, Ms Lawson said: "It's very difficult when you find out that someone you have loved and trusted could behave that way.
"In my heart of hearts I do not believe Lisa to be a bad person.
"I believe her not to have a very strong moral compass."
The court heard last week that the Grillo sisters lived the "high life", spending the money on designer clothes and handbags from Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior and Vivienne Westwood.
Jurors have heard they are accused of using credit cards loaned to them by the TV cook and her ex-husband Mr Saatchi to spend more than £685,000 (€824,000) on themselves.
Ms Lawson said: "I was flabbergasted at the extent."
Regarding Lisa, she said: "Lisa had been a stalwart and had helped me through a very difficult time when my first husband died.
"I loved Lisa. My children loved Lisa.
"She came to me at a very difficult time in my life.
"She was a rock. I would have done anything for her."
Ms Lawson, who referred to her multimillionaire ex-husband as Mr Saatchi when giving evidence, said she once took £7,000 (€8,424) out of her savings to pay for Lisa to have her teeth fixed, giving her "incredible confidence".
She said Lisa left the job at one point and she continued to pay her for three months so she would not get "too anguished" about finding a new job.
She added: "I didn't want her to feel that she had to stay with me."
On Lisa's return, she was "increasingly bitter", Ms Lawson said.
"She broke our heart."
Elisabetta, 41, and co-defendant Francesca, 35, both of Kensington Gardens Square, Bayswater, west London, deny the charge against them.
Ms Lawson became agitated at the line of questioning from defence barrister Anthony Metzer QC.
When asked if she would agree that she shared a liberal and bohemian background with her late husband John Diamond, she said: "I fear my father might take exception to that."
He also asked her if Mr Saatchi had a temper.
"Yes, he did have a temper and I don't think that anyone can be in any doubt he had a temper," she said.
Mr Metzer asked if Mr Saatchi was patriarchal and traditional, and Ms Lawson said he "didn't like to take part in family life".
When asked if she thought Mr Saatchi's background conflicted with hers, she said: "I don't understand why my marriage is pertinent to you."
Ms Saatchi said that while Mr Diamond left some debts, she did not use Mr Saatchi's money to pay them off.
"I'm an independent woman and I used none of his money to pay off my husband's debt," she said.
Ms Lawson said her independence could "irritate" Mr Saatchi.
She had to correct Mr Metzer for saying her team call themselves Team Nigella.
"No, they call themselves Team Cupcake," she said.
Just before that, Judge Robin Johnson said to the defence barrister: "Don't invite argument, Mr Metzer."
Frustrated at his line of questioning, Ms Lawson said: "Why don't you just ask me something directly?"
Ms Lawson remained on her feet throughout giving evidence despite the judge saying at the beginning that she could take a seat.
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