‘Fake Sheikh’ denies charge over Tulisa case

The undercover reporter known as the "Fake Sheikh" has denied conspiring to pervert the course of justice over the case of pop star Tulisa Contostavlos.

Mazher Mahmood, 52, is alleged to have misled the court during the collapsed drugs trial of the former N-Dubz star and X Factor judge.

The former News Of The World journalist, of Purley, south London, is accused with Alan Smith, 66, a retired driver from Dereham, Norfolk.

The charge states that between June 22 2014 and July 22 2014, Mahmood and Smith conspired together to do an “act”, namely that Smith would change a draft statement to police, with the intention to pervert the course of justice.

They pleaded not guilty to the charge before the judge set a trial date of September 19, with a pre-trial review at the Old Bailey on June 10. Both men are on unconditional bail.