Paul McCartney Winning Publicity War

Gets 75 Percent Of Vote In British Poll On Who's Believed In Divorce Battle

(CBS)  If a new poll is any indication, Paul McCartney is running away with the battle with his estranged wife for public sympathy in Britain in their bitter divorce dispute.

"The dirt-dishing is only beginning," observes CBS News correspondent Elizabeth Palmer, "but so far, the former Beatle is clearly the favorite."

The survey, taken by the major British news channel Sky News, shows 75 percent of the respondents saying they believe McCartney and only 25 percent saying they think Heather Mills McCartney is being truthful.

And that's no surprise to British celebrity publicist Max Clifford, who says: "Paul McCartney is extremely popular. Heather Mills has never been anything but extremely unpopular and, I think, as the last few months have unfolded, her popularity has gone down even further than it was, if that is possible."

The couple's $2 billion divorce fight has representatives of both sides making plays for public sympathy.

"She's loving, she's generous. And those qualities are very evident when you meet her," says Heather's friend, Juliette Gellately. "If you get her talking about her charity work whether it's being against the landmines, whether it being on animal causes, she is very passionate and they are what drive her."

"She is trying to desperately destroy a legend," counters McCartney family friend Peter Price. "She's destroying a national treasure. I don't know what she's playing at. I think she's a very, very wicked sado who needs an awful lot of help."

Meantime, reports Palmer, paparazzi snapped pictures of the Heather's personal trainer out cycling with the couple's 2-year-old daughter, Beatrice.

And a British tabloid claims a suffering Sir Paul is seeing a psychiatrist.

Both, says Palmer, are bound to further polarize support for the warring McCartneys.

Documents leaked to the media earlier this week purport to be claims by Heather that Sir Paul drank, took drugs and physically abused her during their short marriage.

However, there's no proof the document is the genuine divorce petition, but there is lots of speculation that it was a deliberate leak by Heather's camp to damage Sir Paul.

If so, say divorce lawyers, it's a risky strategy — one British courts may well frown on.

"The court will not be happy with her conduct and it could be used as litigation misconduct that could reduce her settlement," remarked family law lawyer Vanessa Lloyd-Platt.

Custody of Beatrice is also at the center of the McCartney battle, along with how much Heather will get from Paul.

[grnhawk1]

I was fortunate enough to have met Linda McCartney when she was alive. Heather Mills is not nor will she ever be anything close to Linda Eastman McCartney. Linda had class and together she and her husband built an empire and raised four very well adjusted, educated, beautiful children. Heather Mills not only lacks class as we have seen by her pulic display for attention, but has not been with Paul McCartney long enough to build anything but a mirage of lies and deciet. Call it as it is "Gold Digger!" with an enate lack of education. She should be paying him for using the McCartney name.

[caroljo2]

We should pray for both of them. Whether or not you are famous, there are some people who just have to stick their noses in someones business.
I have always loved him. I will continue to buy alll of his CDs. When ther's a divorce, the gloves come off. Trubble is, "the gloves don't give a (****). I know she is not Linda, but I think that is what attracted hyim to her, in the first place. I will continue to pray. And I hope that he knows that God loves them, and is sad.
But cling to Him, and He will give you the answers. Providing, you are truthful to Him.
God bless you. Love, Caroljo Nagel

[lebosi-2009]

Sir Paul presumabley has 75% of the British vote, who is kidding who. Since, like Lady Diana, there were three people in this marriage, even if one was a ghost from the past, she didn't stand a chance. Paul McCartney has been on a pedastal for years, he was controlled by Linda in life and expected Heather to carry on being a carbon copy of Linda, alas unfortunately he has already relised Heather is her own woman, unlike the Great British Public, and me she has realised he is nothing but a pop star who made good. Of course he should pay, pay for putting her through it, pay for his child to be raised. He is now seeking phychiatric help, he should of done that years ago and maybe he would of realised he is no Saint. Sorry Paul in my eyes you are no saint, no great I am, your just yet anothe guy he thinks he is gods gift, gift to whom?

[babydreds]

where is your self respect Ms Mills?, you don't deserve anything that was Pauls before you were married and only deserve what you both have accumulated whilst being married. Both of you know exactly what should be divided and you should uphold that for your own self esteem. Shame on you for being a gold digger. Get your own stuff, don't you know that it is the only way to know that you are an individual and honorable. Remember God does not look kindly on this kind of ugly behvior and sometimes things have a way of coming back at you. Take care of your kid and family and help them through this tough time. All the money in the world won't fix loss of respect from your loved ones. Think about the SCARS.

[cathaleen]

Who cares? He was stupid not to get a pre-nup.

[gdaysunshine]

This was a typo:
"Meantime, reports Palmer, paparazzi snapped pictures of the personal trainer of Paul's ex-wife, Linda, out cycling with Paul and Heather's 2-year-old daughter, Beatrice."

It should be Paul's soon to be ex-wife, Heather.

[gdaysunshine]

This was a typo:
"Meantime, reports Palmer, paparazzi snapped pictures of the personal trainer of Paul's ex-wife, Linda, out cycling with Paul and Heather's 2-year-old daughter, Beatrice."

It should be Paul's soon to be ex-wife, Heather.

[gdaysunshine]

This was a typo:
"Meantime, reports Palmer, paparazzi snapped pictures of the personal trainer of Paul's ex-wife, Linda, out cycling with Paul and Heather's 2-year-old daughter, Beatrice."

It should be Paul's soon to be ex-wife, Heather.