Nigella threatens to sue over 'fake' assault photo claim

Nigella Lawson has threatened to sue a PR who has claimed the controversial photos of her being 'choked' by her estranged husband Charles Saatchi were a publicity stunt.

Richard Hillgrove maintained in a blog post that the shots of the incident, which occurred at a Mayfair restaurant, had "misled the public, acquaintances and others by knowingly orchestrating an 'assault' as a cynical PR exercise".

He also accused the TV chef of 'feigning distress' at the assault.

However a law firm acting for Nigella has now written to Mr Hillgrove demanding the post be taken down, and also insisting he apologises via his Twitter account - saying that 'failure to act swiftly will only aggravate the damage'.

Mr Hillgrove has so far refused, and indicated he is prepared to go to court over the claims, saying: "I think it's grossly unfair the way Charles Saatchi has been treated."

The PR - who runs his own self-named company - added: "Most media commentators have had lots to say and have not been asked to take it down. This is a gross over-reaction. Why should I be crushed and threatened?"

He also said he had not actually spoken to Mr Saatchi about what had happened.