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Tulisa Constostavlos drugs trial: 'Fake Sheikh' denies singer's claims he spiked her drink in 'complete manipulation', court hears

"The motive here is in the public interest to expose criminality," Mr Mahmood told the court under cross-examination by Ms. Contostavlos’ barrister

Thursday 17 July 2014 14:29 BST

Mazher Mahmood, known as the "fake Sheikh", branded Tulisa Contostavlos’s claims that he spiked her drink during one of their set-up meetings "absolutely outrageous".

The undercover reporter, who cleared London’s Southwark Crown Court in order to remain anonymous when he took to the stands to give evidence behind a screen, had posed as a wealthy film producer called Samir Khan when he met up with the former X Factor judge at a number of luxury venues.

As part of the sting that Mr Mahmood claims aimed to "expose criminality" about an alleged drug deal, Ms. Contostavlos was told she was being considered for a £3.5million lead role in a movie that was tipped for an Academy Award. The Slumdog Millionaire-style film would also star Leonardo DiCaprio, the reporter apparently informed her.

"The motive here is in the public interest to expose criminality," Mr Mahmood told the court under cross-examination by Ms. Contostavlos’ barrister, Jeremy Dein QC, denying that his purpose was to create a "sensational story".

"You misled her, didn't you?" Mr Dein asked.

Courting Controversy: Tulisa’s Biggest Headlines

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1/11Courting Controversy: Tulisa’s Biggest Headlines

Courting Controversy: Tulisa’s Biggest Headlines

Tulisa pleaded not guilty to supplying an undercover Sun on Sunday journalist with Class A drug cocaine. The singer claims she was set up and led on by Mazher Mahmood. She was arrested in June 2013.

Getty Images

Courting Controversy: Tulisa’s Biggest Headlines

In March 2012 Tulisa was stopped going through customs after a suspicious vibration in her luggage. ‘Most cringe moment of my life… checkin in “Mam..ur suitcase is vibrating..can u open ur case n turn what eva that is off”..just kill me,’ she said on Twitter.

Courting Controversy: Tulisa’s Biggest Headlines

Every celebrity fears the ultimate scandal: a sex tape leak. And that’s exactly what Tulisa faced when phone-captured footage of her and ex-boyfriend MC Ultra engaging in a sex act emerged online. She admitted the woman was her in an emotional YouTube clip.

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Courting Controversy: Tulisa’s Biggest Headlines

“This time, Justin messed with the wrong woman,” she famously said after winning a court case for damages over the leak following a court injunction on the distribution of the material.

Getty Images

Courting Controversy: Tulisa’s Biggest Headlines

National sweetheart Gary Barlow said she had “fag ash breath”. Which wasn’t very nice. And so, Tulisa hit the headlines once more.

Courting Controversy: Tulisa’s Biggest Headlines

Tulisa and Kelly Rowland were reportedly at log-a-heads for the majority of the 2011 series after Tulisa called Kelly’s biggest hopeful, Misha B, a ‘bully’ live on air.

Courting Controversy: Tulisa’s Biggest Headlines

Tulisa got an official warning for her weird arm salute thing, which she did every time she walked onto the The X Factor stage during the 2011 series. Ofcom launched an investigation into whether flashing the ‘The Female Boss’ tattoo counted as an advertisement for her new perfume of the same name.

Courting Controversy: Tulisa’s Biggest Headlines

Remember when Tulisa announced she was dating her long-time N-Dubz bandmate Fazer? And then they split up? And then the band split up? The papers do.

Courting Controversy: Tulisa’s Biggest Headlines

Few things are more awkward and note-worthy than a debut album flop. While single “Young” was a number 1 hit, the subsequent album only debuted at number 35 on the charts, despite her X Factor judging stint.

Courting Controversy: Tulisa’s Biggest Headlines

Tulisa was branded a “home wrecker” by the pregnant girlfriend of Newcastle player Danny Simpson. The singer began dating the football player in November 2012, but faced a public slanging match with Stephanie Ward, who claimed she was in a relationship with Simpson – and three months pregnant with his child – when the former judge started dating him. Tulisa and Danny’s relationship cooled off in May 2013.

Courting Controversy: Tulisa’s Biggest Headlines

She was snapped in a bikini with the words ‘Lucky You’ and a shamrock just above her female parts. Reports that she has a tattoo that reads ‘Lucky Me’ just above her rear are yet to have been confirmed.

"You can't mislead somebody into supplying cocaine," Mr Mahmood replied.

Mr Dein went on to suggest that Mr Mahmood and his colleague, known as “Nish”, had spiked Contostavlos’ drink on 10 May 2013, when they met at the Metropolitan hotel in London.

"Absolutely outrageous," Mr Mahmood replied.

"You got her to incriminate herself," Mr Dein continued.

"I think that is nonsense," Mr Mahmood countered.

"This was only the beginning of your manipulation of Ms Contostavlos," Mr Dein went on, referencing Mr Mahmood’s meeting with Ms. Contostavlos in Las Vegas in March 2013.

"I disagree," the journalist replied.

Ms. Contostavlos, who is on trial for allegedly brokering a £820 sale of cocaine, shook her head as she sat in the glass-walled dock listening to Mahmood’s evidence.

She vehemently denies brokering the deal, which was exposed in the Sun on Sunday newspaper in June 2013.

Rapper Mike GLC, whose real name is Michael Coombs, 36, pleaded guilty to supplying half an ounce (13.9g) of cocaine on Monday (14 July).

The trial continues.