McCartney to defend marriage claims 'vigorously'

Paul McCartney hit back at sensational claims made by his estranged wife Heather about their marriage, claiming he “will be defending these allegations vigorously and appropriately”.

In a statement issued through his lawyers, the former Beatle said yesterday he would “very much like to respond in public and in detail to the allegations made recently against him by his wife” but will instead respond through the divorce courts.

A leaked document purporting to be a legal response by Heather Mills McCartney sets out a catalogue of accusations against the former Beatle.

“Since the breakdown of his marriage Sir Paul McCartney has maintained his silence in not commenting on the media stories believing that it was best for all concerned, particularly his children, for there to be some dignity in what is a private matter,” read the statement from McCartney's solicitors, Payne Hicks Beach.

“Our 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.

“Our client will be defending these allegations vigorously and appropriately.”

The statement ended: “Our client is saddened by the breakdown of his marriage and requests that his family is allowed to conduct their personal affairs out of the media spotlight for the sake of everybody involved.”

Heather McCartney’s claims, apparently prepared by her lawyers as an answer to McCartney's divorce petition, were leaked to the media.

They contain allegations of mistreatment during the couple’s four-year marriage. It is the latest twist in the divorce battle over McCartney’s £825m (€1.2bn) fortune.

Heather Mills McCartney appeared on BBC1’s City Hospital programme this morning.

The 38-year-old, who lost a leg in a road accident in 1993, was on a pre-arranged visit to discuss pain management treatment and made no reference to the allegations.

Her spokesman, Phil Hall, said she was “shocked” to see the allegations made public.

“I spoke to her this morning and she was shocked that it was out there first and foremost,” he told ITV1’s This Morning.

“In the last five or six months she has been for a revision amputation operation, she has been very unwell and weak, she lost her voice.

“In the last three or four weeks she has been coming through that, she is looking a lot better and stronger, and then something like this happens.”

He added: “She has kept a dignified silence. She has not spoken about anything and that’s still her view. She won’t speak about anything.”

Mr Hall described the divorce proceedings as “highly confidential” and said he could not confirm whether the document was genuine.

Lady McCartney’s solicitors, Mishcon de Reya, said they did not comment on “leaked or allegedly leaked documents”.

A spokesman for the firm, which also represented Diana, Princess of Wales, in her divorce from the Prince of Wales, added: “We can however 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.”

Heather Mills married McCartney, 64, in 2002 and their daughter Beatrice was born the following year.

They announced their separation in May this year and relations between them have becoming increasingly hostile since.