AN UNDERCOVER reporter has told a court he wanted to "expose criminality" about an alleged drug deal involving Tulisa Contostavlos and it was "outrageous" to suggest he spiked the singer's drink during one of their meetings.
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 have heard.
Giving evidence at London's Southwark Crown Court, he denied "manipulating" the 26-year-old after he told her she was being considered for a leading role in a Slumdog Millionaire-type film tipped for Oscar glory with possible co-star Leonardo Di Caprio.
Ms Contostavlos is on trial after allegedly boasting that she could "sort out" cocaine for Mr Mahmood and put the reporter in touch with her rapper friend Mike GLC who supplied the Class A drug.
She vehemently denies brokering the deal, which was exposed in the Sun on Sunday newspaper last June.
Appearing in the witness box behind a screen to protect his identity, Mr Mahmood said he used "subterfuge" when he secretly recorded meetings with the ex-N-Dubz
star as he attempted to establish whether she was involved in drugs.
"The motive here is in the public interest to expose criminality," he said.
Ms Contostavlos's barrister Jeremy Dein QC said: "You misled her, didn't you?"
Mr Mahmood replied: "You can't mislead somebody into supplying cocaine."
Mike GLC, whose real name is Michael Coombs (36) pleaded guilty on Monday to supplying half an ounce (13.9g) of cocaine.