McCartney divorce mudslinging stains all sides

LONDON, Oct 19 (Reuters) Paul McCartney, estranged wife Heather and daughter Beatrice all stand to lose from public mudslinging in an increasingly ugly divorce, lawyers warn.

Allegations against the former Beatle appearing in leaked court documents this week could damage his wholesome reputation, and were unlikely to boost Heather Mills McCartney's financial position in any settlement, they said.

The couple's daughter Beatrice, who is nearly three, is also likely to find out about the claims in the future.

The documents claim McCartney used illegal drugs and drank excessively, hurled abuse at Mills and made her cancel an operation on the leg she lost in a traffic accident before they married because it interfered with his holiday plans.

They also said McCartney did not want her to breastfeed their baby daughter, saying ''they are my breasts''.

McCartney's lawyers responded by saying he would defend the allegations ''vigorously and appropriately.'' Mills' representatives in the divorce, which has become so bitter one newspaper described it today as ''toxic'', deny she had anything to do with leaking the documents to the press.

But if the revelations were designed to bolster Mills' position in settlement negotiations, they may backfire.

''I don't think these allegations are going to affect the financial settlement from either side,'' said James Stewart, a partner with law firm Manches.

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