McCartney to "vigorously" contest abuse claims
McCartney and Mills split in May
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Thursday, 19, Oct 2006 08:34
Sir Paul McCartney's lawyers said yesterday that the singer intended to "vigorously" contest claims made by his estranged wife Heather Mills that he was repeatedly violent towards her during the course of their marriage.
The declaration came after the Daily Mail reported details of leaked court papers which were apparently lodged by Mills' legal team as part of divorce proceedings between the couple.
Responding to the report, McCartney's lawyers, Payne Hicks Beach, said in a statement: "Our client will be defending these allegations vigorously and appropriately."
The statement said that the former Beatle had maintained his silence following the media reports, "believing that it was best for all concerned, particularly his children".
McCartney's lawyers added that their client would "very much like to respond in public and in detail to the allegations made recently against him by his wife and published in the press but he recognises, on advice, that the only correct forum for his response to the allegations made against him is in the current divorce proceedings".
The Daily Mail claimed yesterday that court documents, which were reportedly leaked to the Press Association and Bloomberg news agencies, describe McCartney, 64, as a "vindictive" man who subjected his wife to violent attacks.
It is alleged that in one incident, McCartney stabbed Mills, 38, in the arm with a broken wine glass, while the Mail claims that the papers also describe how the singer "continued to use illegal drugs and drink excessively", despite promises he made before the pair got married.
Although the couple expressed a desire to conduct their divorce in a "harmonious" manner when they announced their split in May, relations between McCartney and Mills have become increasingly bitter, amid growing tabloid attention.
The couple, who married in June 2002 and have a two-year-old daughter Beatrice, have each appointed divorce lawyers used by the Prince of Wales and Princess Diana respectively.
Former model Mills has not yet commented on the reports, but a spokesman for her legal firm, Mishcon de Reya, said in a statement: "The law firm can confirm that 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."