Linda McCartney's posthumous revelations

By Stone Martindale Oct 28, 2006, 18:15 GMT

Paul McCartney and the never ending allegations EPA/BARRY SWEET

Paul McCartney's divorce battle has taken a macabre left turn as strange allegations have surfaced regarding his late wife Linda making a series of 'explosive' taped confessions about their relationship.

The 15 audio tapes are said to present some new perspective on Paul's 29-year marriage to Linda, always regarded as a solid and happy union.

There is real possibility of the late Linda McCartney giving evidence from the grave in Paul's contentious divorce from second wife Heather Mills.

The judge who hears the current case would have the power to order the 20 hours of tapes to be played in court to establish whether they support Heather's claims that the former Beatle was actually violent.

Allegedly, Linda went on record to a confidante, Peter Cox, with whom she wrote a cook book before her death from cancer in 1998.

Allegedly Paul's lawyers are so concerned about the contents of the tapes that they contacted 51-year-old Mr Cox earlier this week demanding that he sign a gagging order preventing him from making them public.

Cox agreed, but his legal representative made it clear yesterday that he would be available to give evidence in court, if that day arose.

The UK Daily Mail reports an insider saying: "These tapes contain hours and hours of Linda McCartney pouring out her heart in her own words about what was going on in her marriage.

"The material is very private and very emotional. There were times when Linda was in tears as she spoke to Peter. She seemed to find the conversations cathartic."

The Daily Mail reports an insider describing the contents of the tapes as 'explosive'.

Cox's attorney Rodney Hylton-Potts said yesterday: "The fact that Peter has got these tapes tells you a great deal about his relationship with Linda, because someone like that would only share these thoughts with a very close friend or confidante."

The tapes were allegedly recorded in the McCartneys' kitchen in Peasmarsh, East Sussex.  Cox was a frequent guest, when he and Linda would brainstorm for their cook book.

Allegedly Linda "confided" to Cox and disclosed personal details of her family life.

Cox, a former chief executive of the Vegetarian Society, signed a legal agreement in 1988 for keeping these tapes confidential reports the Daily Mail.

Paul's legal team at law firm Sheridans wrote to Cox and reitierated his signed agreement and insisted he renew the promise of confidentiality.

The Daily Mail reports that Cox feels the legal agreement does not cover discussions he had with Linda which were not recorded on tape, and he spent yesterday culling monetary offers from various newspapers both here and in America for his tell-all story.