Embattled millionaire Levi Roots
REGGAE Reggae sauce tycoon Levi Roots has admitted spicing up claims about the recipe.
It was NOT handed down by his gran as he claimed, a court heard.
And it was NOT the taste of Notting Hill Carnival for several years, as the sauce bottle label states.
The ex-reggae star, 53, who won £50,000 of investment for his relish on TV’s Dragons’ Den in 2007, told the High Court in London he used a basic recipe to try to recreate his grandma’s jerk chicken seasoning. But he denied he stole it from pal Tony Bailey.
A jubiant Tony Bailey
The pair ran a Caribbean food stall at the West London carnival for 15 years. But they did not sell the sauce there, the court heard.
Ian Glen, QC, representing Mr Bailey, said: “You’re a bare-face liar aren’t you, Mr Roots.” Roots — real name Keith Valentine Graham — said it was a marketing ploy.
Roots, who has made millions since his appearance on the BBC2 show, is being sued for more than £600,000 by Bailey, 52, and financial adviser Sylvester Williams.
They claim the three had made a business agreement to launch it together.
Roots denies their claims. The hearing continues.
By ANDY CRICK [email protected]
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