Judge ends McCartney's marriage

A judge at the High Court in London has pronounced a decree nisi, bringing to an end the marriage of Sir Paul McCartney and Heather Mills.

Neither party was in court to learn their marriage had been ended on the grounds that they have been separated for two years.

The move will clear the way for Ms Mills to receive her £24.3m divorce settlement, which was granted in March.

The marriage will formally end in six weeks with a decree absolute.

Sir Paul's legal team, including solicitor Fiona Shackleton, did not make any comment when they left the court.

Full judgment

The couple's divorce settlement made the headlines when it was finalised in court earlier this year.

A day after it was made, Ms Mills failed in her attempts to stop the full judgment being published.

Mr Justice Bennett said that her evidence in court had been "inconsistent and inaccurate" and she had proved "a less than impressive witness".

In contrast, he concluded that Sir Paul had been "consistent, accurate and honest".

The former Beatle married the ex-model and charity campaigner in 2002, four years after the death of his first wife Linda.

The pair, who separated in 2006, have a four-year-old daughter, Beatrice.

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