 Alford has stated that Mahmood claimed to be a well-connected prince, who could offer Alford a lucrative contract.After the collapse of the trial of Tulisa in 2014, when the judge said there were "strong grounds for believing" Mahmood had committed perjury, Alford told "Panorama" that the conviction had led him to suicidal thoughts.He was quoted as saying, "No one can give me the 18 years I’ve lost, no one can give me that back.