Pooka
03-18-08, 03:11 PM
Heather Mills' evidence in her divorce case with Sir Paul McCartney was "inconsistent, inaccurate" and "less than candid", according to the judge.
Mr Justice Bennett's High Court ruling has been revealed in full after Ms Mills was told she could not appeal against its publication.
She wanted it kept secret because she said it contained details that could her affect her daughter's security.
The decision came a day after a High Court judge awarded Ms Mills £24.3m.
The judge determined the final figure after the couple failed to reach an agreement in court last month.
BREAKDOWN OF MILLS' £125M CLAIM
£3.2m per year for herself and Beatrice
Properties in Los Angeles and New York
Between £8m and £12.5m for a home in London
£3m to purchase a New York home
£500,000 to £750,000 to buy a London office
Monetary value on compensation for loss of earnings
Ms Mills was not in court to hear two Court of Appeal judges rule that divorce hearing judge Mr Justice Bennett's decision to publish his entire ruling could not be challenged.
The judge described Ms Mills in his ruling as having "a strong-willed and determined personality", and said she was also a "kindly person and devoted to her charitable causes".
"She has conducted her own case before me with a steely, yet courteous, determination," he stated.
Sir Paul's evidence was described as "balanced".
"He expressed himself moderately though at times with justifiable irritation, if not anger. He was consistent, accurate and honest," Mr Justice Bennett said.
BREAKDOWN OF MCCARTNEY'S £15.8M OFFER
Costs, not exceeding £150,000 per year, for security would be met for two years
Annual, index-linked payments of £35,000 for Beatrice until she is 17 or ends secondary education
Nanny would be employed for no more than £25,000
He would discharge costs for school fees, uniforms and reasonable extras
Lump sum for the return of some art
The judge wrote that he gave Ms Mills "every allowance for the enormous strain she must have been under".
But he added: "I am driven to the conclusion that much of her evidence, both written and oral, was not just inconsistent and inaccurate but also less than candid".
"Overall she was a less than impressive witness," he said.
'In danger'
David Rosen, who represented her in court on Tuesday, said: "Miss Mills believes her daughter will be put in real danger. It is most disturbing."
Mr Rosen confirmed that the ruling marks the end of Ms Mills' appeal against the publication.
After yesterday's settlement, Ms Mills said: "I'm not appealing against the judgment because it's not worth it.
"I'm appealing against the publication of it because it has so many details of me and my daughter in it."
Lump sum
Following the ruling, Ms Mills will receive £14m for herself and £2.5m to buy a house in London.
Sir Paul will pay for Beatrice's nanny and school fees, and give the four-year-old £35,000 a year. The judge awarded a lump sum of £16.5m and assets of £7.8m.
The settlement equated to £17,000 for every day of the couple's marriage.
The judge found the total value of Sir Paul's assets was about £400m. Ms Mills had sought £125m and been offered £15.8m.
Sir Paul, 65, and Ms Mills, 40, got married in 2002, but they split four years later, blaming media intrusion into their private lives.
Source (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7302736.stm)
Mr Justice Bennett's High Court ruling has been revealed in full after Ms Mills was told she could not appeal against its publication.
She wanted it kept secret because she said it contained details that could her affect her daughter's security.
The decision came a day after a High Court judge awarded Ms Mills £24.3m.
The judge determined the final figure after the couple failed to reach an agreement in court last month.
BREAKDOWN OF MILLS' £125M CLAIM
£3.2m per year for herself and Beatrice
Properties in Los Angeles and New York
Between £8m and £12.5m for a home in London
£3m to purchase a New York home
£500,000 to £750,000 to buy a London office
Monetary value on compensation for loss of earnings
Ms Mills was not in court to hear two Court of Appeal judges rule that divorce hearing judge Mr Justice Bennett's decision to publish his entire ruling could not be challenged.
The judge described Ms Mills in his ruling as having "a strong-willed and determined personality", and said she was also a "kindly person and devoted to her charitable causes".
"She has conducted her own case before me with a steely, yet courteous, determination," he stated.
Sir Paul's evidence was described as "balanced".
"He expressed himself moderately though at times with justifiable irritation, if not anger. He was consistent, accurate and honest," Mr Justice Bennett said.
BREAKDOWN OF MCCARTNEY'S £15.8M OFFER
Costs, not exceeding £150,000 per year, for security would be met for two years
Annual, index-linked payments of £35,000 for Beatrice until she is 17 or ends secondary education
Nanny would be employed for no more than £25,000
He would discharge costs for school fees, uniforms and reasonable extras
Lump sum for the return of some art
The judge wrote that he gave Ms Mills "every allowance for the enormous strain she must have been under".
But he added: "I am driven to the conclusion that much of her evidence, both written and oral, was not just inconsistent and inaccurate but also less than candid".
"Overall she was a less than impressive witness," he said.
'In danger'
David Rosen, who represented her in court on Tuesday, said: "Miss Mills believes her daughter will be put in real danger. It is most disturbing."
Mr Rosen confirmed that the ruling marks the end of Ms Mills' appeal against the publication.
After yesterday's settlement, Ms Mills said: "I'm not appealing against the judgment because it's not worth it.
"I'm appealing against the publication of it because it has so many details of me and my daughter in it."
Lump sum
Following the ruling, Ms Mills will receive £14m for herself and £2.5m to buy a house in London.
Sir Paul will pay for Beatrice's nanny and school fees, and give the four-year-old £35,000 a year. The judge awarded a lump sum of £16.5m and assets of £7.8m.
The settlement equated to £17,000 for every day of the couple's marriage.
The judge found the total value of Sir Paul's assets was about £400m. Ms Mills had sought £125m and been offered £15.8m.
Sir Paul, 65, and Ms Mills, 40, got married in 2002, but they split four years later, blaming media intrusion into their private lives.
Source (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7302736.stm)