'Fake Sheikh' Mazher Mahmood ‘tampered with Tulisa drug trial evidence’
AN UNDERCOVER journalist tampered with evidence in the drugs trial of former X Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos, a court heard yesterday.
Mazher Mahmood, right, arrives at court; Tulisa Contostavlos, left
Mazher Mahmood wanted to protect his reputation as the king of newspaper stings, it was alleged.
The reporter, known as the Fake Sheikh from a role he sometimes played during undercover operations, posed as a film mogul to meet Miss Contostavlos.
He told the singer he wanted her to star as a “bad girl” in a Bollywood film alongside star Leonardo DiCaprio.
Mahmood, left, in the dock with Alan Smith, his driver
After one meeting, she was accused of arranging for Mahmood to be sold half-an-ounce of cocaine for £800.
The journalist, 53, gave a dossier to police which led to Miss Contostavlos being arrested and facing a drugs charge, the Old Bailey was told.
But crucial evidence supplied by the journalist’s driver was changed, it was alleged.
Chauffeur Alan Smith made a statement revealing Miss Contostavlos, 26, had told him she despised drugs, the jury was told.
Sarah Forshaw, QC, addresses the court
Former X Factor judge and N Dubz singer Tulisa
A day later, Smith retracted the part referring to her strong disapproval of narcotics, it was alleged.
Mahmood, who worked for The Sun On Sunday, and Smith are accused of plotting to alter the driver’s statement because it was favourable to Miss Contostavlos.
Sarah Forshaw, QC, told the court: “He knew that if it could be shown that he had acted improperly as an agent provocateur, inducing Miss Contostavlos to do something she would not otherwise do, his own credibility and standing and the prospect of conviction in the case might both be severely damaged.”
Mahmood, of south London, and Smith, 67, of Dereham, Norfolk, deny conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
The trial continues.