Nigella Lawson aides 'told to buy Charles Saatchi's books to get them up bestseller lists' Jane Carpenter, prosecuting, asked her: "Are you exaggerating Miss Grillo?" "No," she replied. The court also heard Miss Lawson was "afraid" that Charles Saatchi would think she allowed the aides to spend his money in return for their silence over her drug use Elisabetta Grillo, who is on trial for fraud, said there was never an "agreement" that she could buy herself clothes and designer goods as long as she did not tell Mr Saatchi about his wife's use of cocaine and cannabis. But she said the "fear" that Mr Saatchi would make that assumption "informed their relationship." Miss Grillo, who was Miss Lawson's housekeeper for more than a decade, made no mention of Miss Lawson's drug use in her original defence statement, and only introduced it in a fresh statement in mid-November. She said in her second statement that she had left out mention of the drugs "because she had a remnant of sympathy" for Miss Lawson and because she "did not want it to be raised in a court of law." Later, "on reflection," she decided the drugs should be mentioned "for fairness in the proceedings." Italian Miss Grillo, 41, is accused of fraudulently spending £105,000 on a company credit card issued to her by Mr Saatchi. Her sister Francesca, 35, is accused of fraudulently spending £580,000. Giving evidence at Isleworth Crown Court, Miss Grillo confirmed that she made a statement on Nov 12 saying that Miss Lawson "habitually indulged in class A and B drugs and prescription drugs." Her statement said that it was not her case that she was allowed to buy herself treats in return for her silence but: "There was an implicit atmosphere in the house that [Miss Lawson] was afraid Mr Saatchi would think that. The intimate atmosphere informed their relationship and the fear of Mr Saatchi and that he would consider that this expenditure implied that there would be an agreement. Miss Lawson told the court during her own evidence last week that she used cocaine on seven occasions, and only once during her marriage to Mr Saatchi. Miss Grillo has said she found evidence of cocaine use "every three days." Jane Carpenter, prosecuting, asked her: "Are you saying that Nigella Lawson has lied to this court?" "Yes," she replied. She also said Charles Saatchi had lied in his evidence. Miss Carpenter said: "And you are the one telling the truth?" "I am," she replied. Miss Carpenter also asked her about her wardrobe of designer clothes, which Miss Grillo said included five dresses from Sandro, five dresses from Marc Jacobs, five designer handbags, shoes by Chanel and coats by Sandro and Burberry. She said: "It's normal, like every woman have. Women like clothes and shoes and bags. She said she never spent money on the corporate credit card that was not authorised by Miss Lawson.