KATE MOSS was determined last night to ride out growing criticism over allegations about her “sex and drug” excesses in the hope of keeping lucrative contracts.

Fashion, perfume and make-up companies whose products Moss endorses have refused to comment on whether revelations about her behaviour would compromise their deals with the model. Friends of Moss, who earns an estimated £4 million a year, welcomed reports that she had split from Pete Doherty, the musician whose drug addiction has contributed to his reputation as the wild man of pop.

He went on the rampage after a concert in Ibiza with his band, Babyshambles. He was understood to have been distraught that Moss had decided to end their nine-month relationship for the sake of her two-year-old daughter. Zandra Rhodes, the fashion designer, described Doherty as a “silly boy” with whom Moss should never have become involved.

Firms including Chanel, Rimmel, Dior and H&M, which have contracts with Moss, 31, refused to comment on whether senior executives were worried that allegations of her cocaine habit and three-in-a-bed sex could damage their companies’ image.

H. Stern, the jewellers that recently claimed Moss was “the best representation of the H. Stern woman”, refused to say if they would hire her again when her contract expires in December.

The National Drug Prevention Alliance, however, has accused the firms of failing to tackle the issues surrounding Moss’s behaviour.

Fashionistas, many attending London Fashion Week, gave their unstinting backing to Moss, who remained in New York after a meeting with H&M executives, where she had apologised for her behaviour. Twiggy, the former model, said that she was appalled at the treatment of Moss. Referring to the reporters who broke the story, she said: “What they did is disgusting, completely out of order.”

Julien Macdonald, whose show at London Fashion Week was invaded by anti-fur protesters, said: “Poor Kate. She was just trying to lead her own life.”

Tracey Emin, the artist, who is a close friend of the model, said: “People should just f*****g leave her alone. They are just jealous of her. She is a great friend and I can tell you I have never seen her touch the stuff once.”

Others speculated that the intense publicity could raise her profile even further. It is not known whether Moss will attend London Fashion Week.

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