The trial of Tulisa Contostavlos over drugs allegations has collapsed.
The singer was accused of boasting that she could “sort out” cocaine for a journalist and put him in touch with her rapper friend Mike GLC, who supplied the Class A drug.
Undercover reporter Mazher Mahmood, dubbed the ‘Fake Sheikh’, posed as a wealthy film producer called Samir Khan when he met the former X-Factor judge at a string of luxury hotels and restaurants, jurors at London’s Southwark Crown Court heard.
Contostavlos vehemently denied brokering the deal, which was exposed in the Sun on Sunday newspaper last June.
Today judge Alistair McCreath told the jury that the case “cannot go any further” because there were “strong grounds to believe” that Mr Mahmood had “lied” at a hearing before the trial started.
The 26-year-old star smiled broadly in the dock as the jury was formally discharged from trying the case.
Ms Contostavlos punched the air as she left the dock before crying as she hugged supporters including her PA, Gareth Varey, shortly after the case against her was thrown out.
Mike GLC — whose real name is Michael Coombs — pleaded guilty before the start of the trial to supplying half an ounce (13.9g) of cocaine but he also walked free after judge said the case cannot proceed against him.
The 36-year-old also wept as he hugged defence barrister Jeremy Dein QC.
PA