Heather Mills to flee UK

Feb 13, 2008, 11:35 GMT

Heather Mills arrives at the High Court in London, Britain, 13 February 2008. Paul McCartney and Heather Mills returned to court today in an attempt to agree terms for their acrimonious divorce. The fight over the wealth of the former Beatle, who is estimated to be worth as much as 1.1 billion euros could produce Britain\'s largest ever divorce settlement. EPA/ANDY RAIN

Heather Mills will flee Britain forever once her divorce from Sir Paul McCartney is finalised.

The 40-year-old former model - who has a four-year-old daughter Beatrice with The Beatles legend - feels so hated in her home country she plans to live abroad as a recluse once the five-day divorce hearing at London's High Court is over.

Heather's 60-year-old father Mark Mills said: "She won't stay in this country. She knows everybody hates her here.

"I think she is very low at the moment and would leap at the chance to get away from it all and take Bea with her.

"I think she'll go abroad, probably to France or possibly the United States, and then she'll just slowly fade away into obscurity."

Heather and Paul emerged from the second day of the hearing smiling yesterday (12.02.08), sparking rumours they are closer to reaching a divorce deal.

A source close to the case said: "They have effectively played the pipes of peace and broken the deadlock.

"The ice between Paul and Heather is thawing and they are finally able to negotiate sensibly."

Heather reportedly wants a £60 million pay out, while Paul - who is being represented by Fiona Shackleton, the divorce solicitor, who negotiated Prince Charles' divorce from Princess Diana - wants to limit the settlement to £10 million.

The main bone of contention has reportedly been Heather's refusal to sign a confidentiality clause preventing her from discussing her relationship with Paul in public.

However, yesterday the pair - who arrived in separate blacked-out 4x4 cars for the 10.10am hearing - seemed to making headway with their discussions and were in good spirits as they left the court at 4.15pm.

Paul, 65, even chatted happily with Heather's 23-year-old personal fitness instructor Ben Amigoni who he accused of sleeping with Heather in 2006.

When asked why she was so happy, Heather, who is representing herself, laughed and mouthed: "I can't say anything."

Heather's solicitor David Rosen, who is advising her on legal protocol during the hearing, explained: "She is happy."

Heather and Paul - who split in May 2006 after four years of marriage - have been banned from speaking about the details of the private hearing after Judge Mr. Justice Bennett imposed a gagging order.

The couple and their legal teams have been warned to keep quite about confidential details relating to the case or face being found in contempt of court and fined.

(C) BANG Media International