EntertainmentNigella Lawsonthe tasteNigella Lawson flight

Nigella Lawson's US Flight ‘Ban': Was Charles Saatchi To Blame?

Nigella Flight Ban: Was Saatchi To Blame?
Huffington Post UK

Nigella Lawson’s pals are reportedly suspicious that her US flight ban could have something to do with former husband Charles Saatchi, according to reports.

The Sunday People reported that the TV chef’s closest friends are “adamant he was involved in tipping off officials who stopped her boarding a plane to Los Angeles last Sunday”.

Open Image Modal

Nigella Lawson

“Her friends are absolutely convinced there was something more to this,” a source told the paper. "The view is that someone, perhaps her ex-husband had tipped off the US authorities.

“Nigella has said several times that she believes Saatchi is out to ruin her. Clearly she puts nothing past him.”

"This is a dreadful situation, she feels she will never get away from him,” they added.

Open Image Modal

Charles Saatchi

Nigella could reportedly face drug testing before she is granted permission to enter the States.

Immigration lawyer Susan McFadden told The Mirror that Nigella may be required to prove she isn’t a current drug user before being granted access to the USA by border officials.

“One of the questions you have to answer is whether you have ever been convicted of an offence or crime involving moral turpitude or a violation relating to controlled substances,” she explained. “If you haven’t been arrested, you can tick no to that.

“But where a person might get in trouble, is that they ask whether you are you a drug abuser or addict.”

The TV chef was reportedly left red-faced when she arrived at Heathrow airport to travel on a British Airways flight recently when, according to the Daily Mail, she was informed by security that she could not board the plane.

Last year, Nigella was forced to admit under oath that she has previously taken the Class A drug cocaine and smoked cannabis.

Nigella’s admission was made during Francesca and Elisabeth Grillo’s fraud trial and Scotland Yard chose not to act over ‘The Taste’ judge’s confession.

Charles and Nigella ended their ten year marriage in 2013, following the release of pictures showing Saatchi holding his wife by the throat.

Though Saatchi dismissed the incident as a "playful tiff", he accepted a police caution for assault weeks later.

Nigella Lawson
"Brüno" London Premiere - Inside Arrivals(01 of35)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 17: Nigella Lawson arrives at the UK Film Premiere of 'Bruno' at the Empire Leicester Square on June 17, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Jon Furniss/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
Launch Of Alexandra Shulman's Debut Novel 'Can We Still Be Friends' At Sotheby's(02 of35)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 28: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK TABLOID NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 48 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME. MANDATORY CREDIT PHOTO BY DAVE M. BENETT/GETTY IMAGES REQUIRED) Nigella Lawson attends the launch of British Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman's debut novel 'Can We Still Be Friends' at Sotheby's on March 28, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Dave M. Benett/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Saatchi Gallery Launch Party - Arrivals(03 of35)
Open Image Modal
LONDON - OCTOBER 07: Nigella Lawson arrives at the Saatchi Gallery Launch Party at the Saatchi Gallery Kings Rd in London on October 7, 2008 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
ABC's "The Taste" - Season One(04 of35)
Open Image Modal
THE TASTE - ABC's 'The Taste' features British food star Nigella Lawson. (Photo by Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
'Nigellissima' Photocall - MIPCOM 2012(05 of35)
Open Image Modal
CANNES, FRANCE - OCTOBER 09: Nigella Lawson attends 'Nigellissima' Photocall as part of MIPCOM 2012 at Majestic Hotel on October 9, 2012 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Tony Barson/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
Picture Shows: Portrait of English food writer, journalist and broadcaster Nigel(06 of35)
Open Image Modal
Portrait of English food writer, journalist and broadcaster Nigella Lawson photographed in London. Job: 84299 Ref: SPS (Photo by Spiros Politis/Photoshot/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
SBWFF 2013 - Grand Tasting Village - Day 1(07 of35)
Open Image Modal
MIAMI BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 23: Nigella Lawson attends the South Beach Wine and Food Festival 2013 Grand Tasting Village on February 23, 2013 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by John Parra/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
SBWFF 2013 - Grand Tasting Village - Day 1(08 of35)
Open Image Modal
MIAMI BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 23: Nigella Lawson attends the South Beach Wine and Food Festival 2013 Grand Tasting Village on February 23, 2013 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by John Parra/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Nigellissima Dinner At W South Beach(09 of35)
Open Image Modal
MIAMI BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 22: Nigella Lawson attends Nigellissima Dinner at W South Beach Hotel & Residences on February 22, 2013 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Aaron Davidson/Getty Images for W South Beach Hotel & Residences) (credit:Getty Images)
Watch What Happens Live - Season 9(10 of35)
Open Image Modal
WATCH WHAT HAPPENS LIVE -- Pictured: Nigella Lawson -- Photo by: Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images (credit:Getty Images)
Watch What Happens Live - Season 9(11 of35)
Open Image Modal
WATCH WHAT HAPPENS LIVE -- Pictured: Nigella Lawson -- Photo by: Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images (credit:Getty Images)
2013 TCA Winter Press Tour - Disney ABC Television Group(12 of35)
Open Image Modal
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 10: Nigella Lawson attends the Disney ABC Television Group 2013 TCA Winter Press Tour at The Langham Huntington Hotel and Spa on January 10, 2013 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic) (credit:Getty Images)
2013 TCA Winter Press Tour - Disney ABC Television Group Red Carpet Gala(13 of35)
Open Image Modal
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 10: Television personality Nigella Lawson arrives at Disney ABC Television's red carpet gala at the Langham Huntington Hotel and Spa on January 10, 2013 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jerod Harris/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
Nigella Lawson - Book Signing(14 of35)
Open Image Modal
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Nigella Lawson meets fans and signs copies of her book 'Nigellissima' at Selfridges Trafford Centre on November 8, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
Nigella Lawson - Book Signing(15 of35)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 24: Nigella Lawson meets fans and signs copies of her book 'Nigellissima' at Waterstones Canary Wharf on October 24, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Tim Whitby/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
'Nigellissima' Photocall - MIPCOM 2012(16 of35)
Open Image Modal
CANNES, FRANCE - OCTOBER 09: Nigella Lawson poses during the 'Nigellissima' Photocall at Cannes MIPCOM 2012 at Majestic Hotel on October 9, 2012 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Didier Baverel/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
ABC's "The Taste" - Season One(17 of35)
Open Image Modal
THE TASTE - In the two-hour series premiere, 'Auditions Part 1,' the pressure is on when Anthony Bourdain, Nigella Lawson, Ludovic Lefebvre and Brian Malarkey put 29 professional chefs and home cooks through their first grueling round of blind taste tests -- in which just a single spoonful will decide whether or not they make it past the audition phase and into the competition. 'Auditions Part 1' airs TUESDAY, JANUARY 22 (8:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on ABC. (Photo by Sasha Shemirani/ABC via Getty Images) NIGELLA LAWSON (credit:Getty Images)
ABC's "The Taste" - Season One(18 of35)
Open Image Modal
THE TASTE - ABC's 'The Taste' features British food star Nigella Lawson. (Photo by Sasha Shemirani/ABC via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Vogue Festival 2012(19 of35)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 20: Nigella Lawson takes part in the Vogue Festival at Royal Geographical Society on April 20, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Nick Harvey/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
Sara Ferrero And Fiona Golfar Host Dinner At Joe's(20 of35)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 19: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK TABLOID NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 48 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME. MANDATORY CREDIT PHOTO BY DAVE M. BENETT/GETTY IMAGES REQUIRED) Nigella Lawson (L) and Charles Saatchi attend a dinner hosted by Joseph Group CEO Sara Ferrero and Vogue UK editor-at-large Fiona Golfar at Joe's Restaurant on January 19, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Dave M. Benett/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sara Ferrero And Fiona Golfar Host Dinner At Joe's(21 of35)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 19: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK TABLOID NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 48 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME. MANDATORY CREDIT PHOTO BY DAVE M. BENETT/GETTY IMAGES REQUIRED) Nigella Lawson (L) and Robert Fox attend a dinner hosted by Joseph Group CEO Sara Ferrero and Vogue UK editor-at-large Fiona Golfar at Joe's Restaurant on January 19, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Dave M. Benett/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
'Made In Sicily' By Giorgio Locatelli - Book Launch Party(22 of35)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 04: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK TABLOID NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 48 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME. MANDATORY CREDIT PHOTO BY DAVE M. BENETT/GETTY IMAGES REQUIRED) Nigella Lawson attends a book launch party for Chef Giorgio Locatelli's new book 'Made In Sicily' at Locanda Locatelli on October 4, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Dave M. Benett/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Nigella Lawson Promotes New Book In Sydney(23 of35)
Open Image Modal
Nigella Lawson launches her new book at the Sydney Convention Centre on March 14, 2011 in Sydney, Australia. (credit:Getty Images)
Nigella Lawson Signs Copies of Her Book 'Kitchen'(24 of35)
Open Image Modal
Nigella Lawson signs copies of her book 'Kitchen' in Dubray Books on October 23, 2010 in Dublin, Ireland. (credit:Getty Images)
Nigella Lawson App Launch At The Apple Store(25 of35)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 20: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK TABLOID NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 48 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME. MANDATORY CREDIT PHOTO BY DAVE M. BENETT/GETTY IMAGES REQUIRED) Nigella Lawson attends the launch event for her new iPhone application at the Apple Store on April 20, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Dave M. Benett/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Jewish Museum Opening - London(26 of35)
Open Image Modal
Nigella Lawson Attends Photocall To Open Newly Transformed Jewish Museum London. (Photo by John Phillips/UK Press via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Jewish Museum - Press Launch(27 of35)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 16: Nigella Lawson poses at the re-launch of the Jewish Museum in Camden on March 16, 2010 in London, England. The Jewish Museum re-opens to the public on Wednesday 17th March following a £10m transformation led by architects Long & Kentish. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
LAWSON 09/30/06 Nigella Lawson has a new tv cooking show coming out. In town for promos.(28 of35)
Open Image Modal
LAWSON 09/30/06 Nigella Lawson has a new tv cooking show coming out. In town for promos. (Photo by Michael Stuparyk/Toronto Star via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Picture Shows: Portrait of English food writer, journalist and broadcaster Nigel(29 of35)
Open Image Modal
Portrait of English food writer, journalist and broadcaster Nigella Lawson photographed in London. Job: 84299 Ref: SPS (Photo by Spiros Politis/Photoshot/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Picture Shows: Portrait of English food writer, journalist and broadcaster Nigel(30 of35)
Open Image Modal
Portrait of English food writer, journalist and broadcaster Nigella Lawson photographed in London. Job: 84299 Ref: SPS (Photo by Spiros Politis/Photoshot/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Nigella Lawson - Book Signing(31 of35)
Open Image Modal
Nigella Lawson attends book signing at Waterstones, Bluewater to promote the paperback edition of 'Nigella Express' on September 10, 2009 in Greenhithe, England. (credit:Getty Images)
Charles Saatchi - Book Launch Party(32 of35)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 08: Nigella Lawson attends a book launch party for Charles Saatchi's 'My Name Is Charles Saatchi And I Am An Artoholic' at Saatchi Gallery on September 8, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Simon James/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
Charles Saatchi - Book Launch Party(33 of35)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 08: Nigella Lawson attends the book launch party for Charles Saatchi's 'My Name Is Charles Saatchi And I Am An Artoholic' at Saatchi Gallery on September 8, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Marco Secchi/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
"Chaos Point" - Vivienne Westwood And London Musici Orchestra In Aid Of NSPCC(34 of35)
Open Image Modal
LONDON - NOVEMBER 18: Food writer Nigella Lawson attends Chaos Point, in aid of NSPCC at the Banqueting House November 18, 2008 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
Nigella Lawson Book Signing - London(35 of35)
Open Image Modal
Nigella Lawson During A Photocall For A Signing Session Of Her Book 'Nigella Christmas: Food, Family, Friends And Festivities', At Waterstones In Piccadilly, Central London. (Photo by Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK | FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip