18/03/2008

Mills Loses Settlement Publication Appeal

Heather Mills' return to court to appeal publication of her £24.3 million settlement with ex-husband, Sir Paul McCartney has been unsuccessful.

Mr Justice Bennett's High Court ruling has been revealed in its entirety after Ms Mills was told she could not appeal against the publication.

Former model Ms Mills said she was taking the step because details contained in the ruling could compromise the security of her daughter Beatrice.

Following the payout Ms Mills said outside the court: "I'm very, very, very pleased with the result. It is an incredible result to secure mine and my daughter."

In the full report, Mr Justice Bennett described Ms Mills as having a "strong-willed and determined personalilty," and also a "kindly person devoted to her charitable causes."

The £16.5 million lump sum awarded to Ms Mills was calculated on the basis of £600,000 a year to provide for her needs - payable as a lump sum of £14 million, plus £2.5 million to buy a house in London.

Sir Paul McCartney will also pay £35,000 a year directly to Beatrice plus her school fees and the cost of her nanny.

According to one new's source, the settlement equates to £17,000 for every day of the couple's marriage.

The judge questioned Ms Mills' statement that she owned a penthouse flat in Piccadilly worth "approximately £500,000" and a Brighton property "worth £250,000" when she met Sir Paul.

The judge added that her tax returns "disclose no charitable giving at all" despite Ms Mills saying she gave as much as 80 - 90% of her earning direct to charities.

Sir Paul's assets are estimated to be £400 million, Ms Mills had asked for £125 million.

The couple married in 2002, but split four years later - blaming media intrusion.

(DS)


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