A Leicester solicitor accused of arranging the contract killing of his business partner has denied having any involvement in the death.

John Cort told Nottingham Crown Court this morning that he was not responsible for the murder of Vina Patel – a woman he claimed to have had a personal relationship with for "nearly 20 years".

Asked outright by his defence barrister Frances Oldham: "Did you have anything to do with the death of Vina Patel on January 15, 2009?" Cort, who was dressed in a pin-stripe navy suit and pale yellow tie, said: "No, I did not."

Cort (54) of Rutland Street, Leicester, is accused of hiring former male escort Brian Farrell (37) of Queensborough Terrace, west London, to kill 51-year-old Mrs Patel.

Both men deny murder.