SIR Paul McCartney has told Heather Mills he will not pay her a single penny in their divorce settlement. The former Beatle says she does not deserve anything because he made NO money during their four-year marriage.
The proposal was finally made to Heather's team at top lawyers Mischon De Reya by Macca's legal advisers, led by Fiona Shackleton.
His huge wealth was all accumulated BEFORE he met her.
He actually made a loss during their marriage because of the huge cost of his lavish world tours.
He doesn't have the 800million fortune that's been reported - it's only 300m.
Friends say the shock move has left Heather reeling and angry. Leading family lawyer Caitlin Jenkins said last night: "This is Sir Paul playing really hard-ball. It's a high-risk strategy.
"
Multi-millionaire Macca, 64, says despite being married for almost four years, Heather isn't due any of his fortune. He claims that in one of the years he made a 2million loss.
Following their marriage in 2002 Macca played his two-year Back In The World tour.
It included a famous performance in Moscow's Red Square in front of Russian President Vladimir Putin and a triumphant headlining slot at the Glastonbury Festival in 2004.
Last year, he went on a 37-date tour of the US, with carmaker Lexus paying 1million to sponsor it. Heather believes he has made 50million from his tours during their marriage.
But the response from his legal team is: "Prove it".
Sir Paul - the most successful musician and composer in pop history according to the Guinness Book of Records - insists the cost of the tours was so high they were not profitable.
He also claims he is far less wealthy than people believed.
Recent estimates of his wealth have ranged from between 750m to 1billion. But in the legal battle, Sir Paul, 64, says he is worth just 300m.
Solicitor Caitlin Jenkins said it was probably a bid to persuade Heather not to go to court and accept a lower cash offer.
She added: "It's a good tactic for Sir Paul - but also quite a high-risk strategy. Only about 10 per cent of contested divorce cases end up going down this route.
"Sir Paul is trying to persuade Heather's team to advise her to come to an agreement - by suggesting she could end up with nothing if the divorce goes to court.
In essence, Sir Paul is showing her how bad it could be for her."
She said it's not unusual for only earnings during a marriage to be considered, but warned Macca a judge may not have the same view of the total earnings that should be shared.
She said: "The judge may assess what Sir Paul owes during the marriage very differently to Sir Paul's advisers.
"
Friends of Heather says she feels so hurt and wronged by what has happened to her during her marriage, and the coverage since, that she wants her day in court to put the record straight no matter what.
A source said: "She is livid he is being painted as the nice guy when she feels he is treating her very badly. She has had death threats, the police have been involved, but Paul refuses to provide her with security.
"She has no money but his line is: 'If you want security you should take out an overdraft to pay for it.
"Her lawyers think his strategy is to drag it out for so long she'll accept anything in the end. But she'd accept less to go to court such is her determination to get her side out there.
"She feels so much rubbish has been written about her she wants everyone to know the truth as she sees it.
"She will conduct her own proceedings, cross-examining her husband. She has a sharp mind and feels, rightly or wrongly, hugely unfairly treated in this whole affair.
"
Meanwhile Ms Jenkins warned that the law on short marriages is unclear after the case of millionaire's wife Melissa Miller in May. She received 5m from her marriage of under three years to Alan Miller, whose fortune was estimated at 17million.
Ms Jenkins added: "Until recently, in short marriages the settlement would see the person walk away with maintenance and enough to get their new life started.
But the Miller case and that very high settlement figure has thrown the law into a state of flux - and there were not even children involved in that marriage."
This latest move shows just how acrimonious the divorce has become. When they split in May, Heather and Sir Paul - who have a three-yearold daughter Beatrice - insisted they would remain close friends.
At the time, they even blamed the media for their break-up. But now Sir Paul can't bear her. Pals say Heather has been infuriated by his lawyers' attitude to her.
In her divorce petition, Heather claimed she was physically and verbally abused by Macca, which he vehemently denies.
A pal said: "The lawyers were dismissive of Heather's claims. It's left her furious and more determined than ever to press on.
"
A legal source said: "McCartney vs McCartney is without doubt one of the most bitter divorces in showbusiness history. This is a couple who basically despise each other. It's a dreadful situation for everyone involved, and most importantly Bea.
"
As relations deteriorated, former model Heather made a bid two days ago to return to the High Court. Police also warned her last week of a security threat against her. She wanted Paul to pay for her security, claiming she has no income and no way of paying it.
But Heather says Paul is insisting she should pay for it by increasing her overdraft facility with her bank.
The case was due to be heard at the High Court on Friday morning. But, at short notice, the hearing was postponed until February.
A friend of Heather revealed: "She believes Paul pushed for the delay to make her pay for the security. She feels he's cut her off completely and wants nothing more to do with her. She feels he's a complete control freak and this is all about showing her he calls the shots.
"
She has had to put up for sale the 550,000 barn she bought five months ago, close to Macca's estate in Peasmarsh, Sussex, to pay her legal bills.
Heather is also planning to represent herself in court because, partly to reduce the costs.
Sir Paul's friends say he made Heather a 30m offer when they split for a "quick and painless divorce" and say that she has brought this divorce battle on herself.
Heather and her lawyers insist no such offer was ever made to her following their split.
LIFE has been a hectic round of touring, recording and promotion since Macca wed Heather in 2002..
.
2002 to 2004: World tour.
2002 and 2005: Performs in pre-game ceremonies at US Super Bowl.
May 2003: Plays concert in Red Square and performs private version of Let it Be for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
June 2004: Headlines Glastonbury Festival for the first time.
July 2005: Performs at Live 8 concert in Hyde Park.
September 2005: Releases album Chaos and Creation in the Backyard.
November 2005: Releases single Jenny Wren.
December 2005 - Nominated for three Grammy Awards.
May 2006: He and second wife Heather announce split.
News RSS