Nigella Lawson feels 'maliciously vilified' as ex-PAs are cleared of fraud

Nigella Lawson believes that she has been "maliciously vilified" after her former aides, Elisabetta and Francesca Grillo, who were accused of using credit cards owned by the TV cook and former hubby Charles Saatchi, were cleared of fraud charges.

After the verdict was announced, Lawson said in a statement that over the trial, the jury was faced with a ridiculous sideshow of false allegations about drug use which made focus on the actual criminal trial impossible, the Mirror reported.

The mum-of-two asserted that when false claims about habitual drug use were introduced she did everything possible to ensure the CPS was aware of the sustained background campaign deliberately designed to destroy her reputation.

Lawson added that she did her civic duty, only to be maliciously vilified without the right to respond, adding that she was "disappointed but unsurprised" by Grillos' release.

Grillos were accused of spending thousands of pounds on unauthorised luxury holidays, first class travel and shopping sprees.