Mills parts ways with lawyer in McCartney divorce
LONDON (Reuters) - Heather Mills has parted ways with the law firm representing her in a bitter divorce battle with former Beatle Paul McCartney, the firm said on Friday.
The news emerged just over a week after the 39-year-old charity worker and former model lost her main PR adviser, who quit before she gave a series of emotional television interviews for which she was slammed in the media.
"We can confirm that she is no longer a client," a spokeswoman for top legal firm Mishcon de Reya said.
The Sun tabloid reported that the company had "fired" Mills over her recent outbursts, during which she spoke of her relationship with McCartney in defiance of orders not to speak about the marriage or their daughter Beatrice.
Asked if she could comment further, the spokeswoman said: "We don't comment on client business, whether a current or former client. I can't say anything further."
Last August Mills appointed Mishcon de Reya's Anthony Julius, the same lawyer who represented Princess Diana in her divorce with Prince Charles. McCartney's lawyer is Fiona Shackleton, who acted for Charles in those proceedings.
Last week Mills appeared on a series of British television shows, accusing the media of branding her a "whore" and "gold digger" and driving her to the brink of suicide. She accused McCartney of failing to do enough to protect her and Beatrice.
On Thursday she returned to the GMTV studio to say she was feeling better as a result of the tirades, which earned her more negative publicity from tabloid newspapers that have targeted her throughout her relationship with McCartney.
The couple married in 2002 and announced their split in 2006.
"It's been unbelievably cathartic," she said. "It's the difference between being in prison and being on parole.
"I've had 18 months of the worst press ever and I got the chance to protect myself and my daughter."
Mills was also asked about recent photographs of McCartney, 65, kissing American friend Nancy Shevell on New York's Long Island last weekend.
"It's none of anybody's business what happens in Paul's love life," she said.
(Editing by Paul Casciato)
