Mills pours scorn on Paul’s lawyer

Heather Mills, who was awarded £24.3m in her divorce settlement with Sir Paul McCartney on Monday, tried to use her day in court to settle a few scores – including pouring a jug of water over her ex-husband’s lawyer, Fiona Shackleton, who emerged from court wearing a wet hairdo. "Apart from one television thing, I have kept quiet for 21 months," said Mills on the steps of the High Court, apparently referring to her appearance on GMTV last October during which she tearfully compared herself to Kate McCann and Princess Diana. "I have been told that I can talk now." She then launched an 11-minute attack against McCartney, Shackleton, the judge and the entire court system.

Mills had sought nearly £125m from her four-year marriage to the former Beatle but was awarded less than a fifth of that by Mr Justice Bennett, who stepped in to impose his own judgment when the couple failed to reach an agreement during a six-day hearing last month. McCartney had initially offered the former model £15.8m, which she rejected.

Mills pronounced she was thrilled with the "incredible result" but said she was angry that a summary of the judgment had been released to the public. Her ex-husband had wanted the details made public, she said, because "he wants to look like this generous Sir Paul". She criticised Mr Justice Bennett for underestimating McCartney's fortune. "He... said Paul is only worth £400m and that is what he said he believes him to be worth. Everybody knows he has been worth £800m for the last 15 years."

But Mills, who represented herself in court after falling out with her lawyers, saved her most bitter attack for Shackleton, accusing her of handling the case "in the worst manner you can ever imagine". It transpired that when the judge had announced he was making his judgment public, Mills grabbed a jug of water and poured it over the lawyer’s head. Shackleton left court wet but still smiling, having saved her client £100m.

As for McCartney, he said only: "No comment, all will be revealed". He is probably right. Although Mills will be back in court this morning to appeal the judge's unusual decision to publish his entire judgment, lawyers say her chances of winning are not great. The full details of one of the most high-profile divorce cases could be released in full today.