Charles Saatchi accused his former wife Nigella Lawson of being "so off your heads on drugs" that she allowed their personal assistants to spend whatever they liked.

Italians Francesca and Elisabetta Grillo are due to go on trial accused of committing fraud while working as PAs to the celebrity couple.

Today, ahead of the case being heard at Isleworth Crown Court in west London, Judge Robin Johnson read out an email sent from Saatchi to his former wife.

"Of course now the Grillos will get off on the basis that you (and) Mimi were so off your heads on drugs that you allowed the sisters to spend whatever they liked and yes I believe every word they have said," the email read.

The judge said the email could be reported, despite the trial not having yet started.

TV chef Lawson is expected to give evidence during the trial, which is due to last at least two weeks.

Judge Johnson said Saatchi was asked by police to explain what he meant in the message to the TV chef.

The judge told the court that Saatchi said: "At the time of sending the email I was completely astounded by the scale of drug use set out in the statements (from the defendants).

"Nevertheless I did believe the allegations that I'm referring to in the email. I have been asked whether it referred to a belief that Nigella or the children permitted the sisters to spend whatever they liked. I can't remember precisely what I had in mind. On reflection ,I was simply speculating that the sisters would use this information to defend themselves."

Defence barristers acting for the two defendants had wanted details of the alleged drug use by Lawson - who ended her 10-year marriage to Saatchi earlier this year - to be heard in the case.

The judge concluded: "I will allow questions of Miss Lawson and witnesses as to the alleged taking of prescribed drugs or proscribed drugs."

The trial is not expected to start today.

Judge Johnson said the allegations by Saatchi were some of the many communications since the "unhappy events surrounding the witnesses' divorce this summer".

The pair broke up after pictures were published in a newspaper in June showing the millionaire art dealer holding his wife by the throat.

The incident on the terrace of Scott's restaurant in Mayfair, central London, was dismissed by Saatchi as nothing more than "a playful tiff" but he later accepted a police caution for assault.

Saatchi went on to tell the Mail on Sunday that the pictures gave a "wholly different and incorrect implication".

It is alleged that between January 1 2008 and December 31 2012, the defendants committed fraud by abusing their positions as PAs by using a company credit card for personal gain.

Elisabetta, 41, and Francesca, 35, both of Kensington Gardens Square, Bayswater, west London, deny the charges.

Anthony Metzer QC, defending Elisabetta Grillo, said Saatchi told his lawyers: "During our marriage I was unaware Nigella took drugs."

But he said that Saatchi went on to say that he found out about the extent of her alleged drug taking as they were splitting up.

Referring to the incident at Scott's, Mr Metzer said: "We are submitting the row that happened resulting in Mr Saatchi assaulting Nigella may have had something to do with Nigella taking drugs and may have something to do with the issue before this court of whether she gave them (the defendants) authority to use the cards."

Referring to the Grillo sisters, he added: "Our clients have been the innocent pawns in a rather unpleasant battle going on between Mr Saatchi, Miss Lawson and their lawyers.

"We come within the parameters of manipulation of the court."

The case was adjourned until 10.15am tomorrow and is expected to open at around midday.