Jewish Women's Aid has criticised Charles Saatchi after images depicting him grabbing ex-wife Nigella Lawson's neck went on sale on his website.

The charity, which works to tackle domestic abuse within the community, said it was "appalled" that the pictures were being used for financial gain. A spokesperson said: "This is in very poor taste. Any image that promotes violence against women and girls just perpetuates a culture where abuse is acceptable."

The couple divorced last year after the art collector and advertising mogul was photographed with his hands around her neck outside a London restaurant. He hit the headlines again this week when his online gallery, which features work by more than 40,000 artists, was found to contain the offending images.

Though he does not commission the listed work, Mr Saatchi receives 30 per cent of all their earnings.