Charles Saatchi Devastated by Nigella's Alleged Cocaine Habit and Heartbroken Over Split, Court Hears

Charles Saatchi arrives at Isleworth Crown Court

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Art collector tells a jury he was “very upset” when he was told Miss Lawson had a “severe cocaine habit” and “hated” the fact that the allegations had been made public

Charles Saatchi has told a jury of the moment he heard of his ex-wife Nigella Lawson’s “sorry depravity” as an alleged cocaine user and his “heartbreak” that their marriage is over.

Mr Saatchi said he was “very upset” when he was told Miss Lawson had a “severe cocaine habit” and “hated” the fact that it had been made public.

He also disclosed for the first time the reason Miss Lawson left him – that she felt confined by the relationship and needed a “pass” from Mr Saatchi to do things she wanted to.

During an impassioned afternoon in the witness box at the trial of two former aides accused of fraud, Mr Saatchi said he still “adored” his ex-wife and was “utterly bereft” that details of her alleged drug use had been publicised.

Mr Saatchi and Miss Lawson, who divorced in July, were accused earlier in the trial of “manipulating” the criminal justice system to sling mud at each other free from the threat of libel proceedings. But Mr Saatchi told Isleworth Crown Court in London that nothing could be further from the truth.

He said: “I’m utterly heartbroken that I have lost Nigella and I wish this past year had never happened.

“If you think this process is giving me any pleasure, you’re mistaken. I hate it. “I adore Nigella now, I absolutely adore Nigella and I’m broken-hearted to have lost her.” » | Gordon Raynor | Friday, November 29, 2013

Charles Saatchi's Multimillion-pound Art Collection Up for Sale

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Charles Saatchi is selling off part of his multimillion-pound art collection at auction just days after Nigella Lawson divorced him at London's High Court.

Fifty lots, including a four-poster bed by Tracey Emin, will be sold at Christie's Thinking Big sale in central London in October.

Mr Saatchi has not put any reserve prices on the work, which means in theory they could sell for as little as once [sic] pence.

In reality, artist's dealers will probably bid for work if it looks like they might sell for prices so low they would damage their reputation.

Many of the lots, including work by the Chapman Brothers and Conrad Shawcross, are so big they cannot be exhibited at Christie's but will instead go on show in a huge former Post Office depot in central London.

The Saatchi Gallery, which Mr Saatchi opened in 1985, has included some of the UK’s most controversial and talked-about artworks. His collection is reported to be worth £200million. » | Alice Philipson | Friday, August 02, 2013