Skip to main content
BBC NEWS / ENTERTAINMENT
Graphics VersionBBC Sport Home
News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
Entertainment Contents:  Arts & Culture

Wednesday, 18 October 2006, 18:23 GMT 19:23 UK

Mills silent over divorce reports

Heather Mills and Paul McCartney Heather Mills McCartney has declined to comment on newspaper allegations that Sir Paul McCartney was violent towards her during their four-year marriage.

The Daily Mail says that court papers filed on her behalf allege that Sir Paul abused her and used illegal drugs.

Sir Paul strenuously denies the claims and will "vigorously" contest the allegations in court, his lawyers said.

The McCartneys, who have a two-year-old daughter, Beatrice, announced their separation in May.

Lady McCartney refused to comment in a pre-planned appearance on the BBC's City Hospital programme.

According to the Daily Mail, court papers relating to the divorce say that the former Beatle subjected his wife to violent attacks, including one incident in which her arm was cut with a broken wine glass.

Her law firm says she "stands by everything that has been filed at court".

Sir Paul's lawyers have also declined to respond to the report, but according to the Mail Sir Paul denies the allegations and intends to fiercely contest them in court.

The Daily Mail says its story is based on a 13-page legal document, which it says was filed in response to Sir Paul's divorce petition.

'Press intrusion'

Law firm Mischon de Reya, which represents Lady McCartney, said it would "not comment on leaked or allegedly leaked documents".

Sir Paul McCartney and Heather Mills pose for cameras the day before their wedding However, it added: "Lady Heather Mills McCartney stands by everything that has been filed at court on her behalf and intends to prove its truth in due course, should this be necessary.

"We would ask that the parties' privacy, during what is a difficult and emotional time, is respected."

Despite such pleas, the McCartneys' divorce has been closely followed by Britain's tabloid newspapers.

Sir Paul has posted several messages on his website discrediting "inaccurate stories" and the "malicious spreading of rumours and made-up facts" since their separation.

The McCartneys married in June 2002. They met in 1999 through Lady McCartney's work for her charity, launched after losing a leg in a motorbike accident in 1993.

Announcing their separation in May, the couple said they had "found it increasingly difficult to maintain a normal relationship with constant intrusion into our private lives".



E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:
Sir Paul pulls out of charity gig (25 Aug 06 |  Entertainment )
McCartneys hire royal legal team (09 Aug 06 |  Entertainment )
Mills plays down police incident (08 Aug 06 |  Entertainment )
Mills to sue over paper's claims (13 Jun 06 |  Entertainment )
In pictures: McCartney and Mills (17 May 06 |  In Pictures )
The Beatle and the model (17 May 06 |  Entertainment )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Daily Mail
Paul McCartney
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC NEWS: 

News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
Entertainment Contents:  Arts & Culture

NewsWatch | Notes | Contact us | About BBC News | Profiles | History

^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©