Assault allegations part of vendetta - Tulisa

Singer Tulisa Contostavlos told police allegations she assaulted a celebrity blogger are part of a vendetta against her.

Celebrity writer Savvas Morgan said he suffered swelling to the eye after the alleged incident involving the N-Dubz star and former X-Factor judge at the V Festival in Chelmsford, Essex, last year.

Contostavlos has denied an assault charge linked to the alleged altercation last August. The 25-year-old is on trial at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court with her assistant Gareth Varey, who is accused of threatening behaviour, which he also denies.

In a police statement read to the court this morning, she said Mr Morgan had previously made "unfounded and vicious" allegations against both her and Varey.

The star added Mr Morgan's "considerable ill-feeling and resentment" stemmed from an incident at the Whisky Mist nightclub in Mayfair, London, when she asked security to request Mr Morgan to leave after he attempted to join her in a VIP area.

Referring to the alleged assault backstage at V Festival, Contostavlos added:

She said she saw Mr Morgan being restrained and struggling and feared he may attack her.

Detective Sergeant Amanda White told the court stars who witnessed the incident, including singer and rapper Misha B, Sugababes singer Mutya Buena, singer Alexandra Burke and rapper Wretch 32, had all been asked to give police statements through their representatives. No statements were forthcoming.

In his statement, Varey said neither he nor Contostavlos had attacked Morgan.

Both of the defendants gave virtually identical accounts in pre-prepared statements to detectives.

They refused to answer further questions.

Prosecutor Matthew McNiff said the incident happened at 12.30am on August 18 as Mr Morgan was about to leave. He said Contostavlos accused Mr Morgan of stalking her, and swore at him.

Contostavlos and Varey, 28, both of Royal Drive, Friern Barnet, north London, are both on unconditional bail.