End Heather's harassment, pleads Macca's sister-in-law

The sister of Heather Mills-McCartney today made an internet appeal for an end to media “harassment” of her family.

Fiona Mills said she was “deeply concerned” for the safety of Ms Mills-McCartney and her daughter Beatrice, claiming they were receiving death threats.

In the open letter, posted on the website www.heathermillsmccartney.com, Fiona Mills attacked the media for its treatment of her sister since it was announced her marriage to former Beatle Paul McCartney was ending.

The letter said she wanted to “set the record straight” after eight months of reading “disgusting, untrue and hurtful stories” about her sister.

She writes: “The main reason that I am responding is that I am deeply concerned for the safety of my sister and her daughter.

“They are receiving death threats, not because she is getting a divorce, but because some of the British tabloids decided from day one that they wish to destroy her, create hatred towards her and profit out of doing so.

“The vicious agenda of these tabloids has resulted in death threats to my family and I want to try to do something. Heather and Beatrice no longer receive the protection that would be afforded to any other member of the McCartney family facing such threats.

“It is extremely stressful to be informed by the police of a serious risk to your life and then to be followed by strange cars and people that may or may not be paparazzi.”

Fiona Mills said she had turned to the internet as the “only forum for truth”.

She said her sister was already involved in three libel cases against newspapers, adding “there are more to follow”.

The message said: “Heather does not deserve the hatred that the tabloid press have thrown at her. She is just one of many women getting a divorce. She has committed no crime and has been silent throughout, but what good has it done?

“Heather’s not a gold digger, liar or self-publicist for people to tear apart - she’s a human being and a mother who has feelings and cares what her daughter will read in the future and it is deeply hurtful to hear and read all the spiteful things that are said about her.”

The letter also denied stories that Ms Mills-McCartney had received a settlement from Sir Paul, saying: “Heather has never ever received a settlement offer.”