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'Suicidal' Heather says 'I'm hated like Kate McCann' during media blitz on Macca
Last updated at 08:18am on 01.11.07Heather Mills launched an extraordinary media assault yesterday, claiming she was driven to the brink of suicide by her divorce from Sir Paul McCartney.
In what was seen as an attempt to strong-arm the former Beatle into settling their bitter dispute with a display of media might, she gave a string of interviews during which she compared herself to Princess Diana and the parents of Madeleine McCann.
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Anger: Heather Mills exploded with rage on GMTV yesterday as she talked of being persecuted over her divorce from Sir Paul
Heather Mills says she has been victim of a public hate campaign similar to that experienced by Kate McCann
Bound by law from mentioning specifics of the divorce, she did, however, speak of being "disgusted" about Sir Paul's initial refusal to pay for security for her and their daughter Beatrice, a decision which put their lives at risk, she claimed.
On GMTV, Miss Mills claimed that, nine months after splitting from the star in May 2006, she received death threats from an "underground movement".
This, she said, prompted her desire to kill herself so her four-year-old child could live a safer life.
Miss Mills, 39, said she had taken steps to ensure that the facts would become known about the marriage if she is murdered.
And she said she had a file containing 4,400 abusive articles written by the British press over the past 18 months.
She insinuated heavily that McCartney aides were responsible for encouraging negative stories about her, saying: "So I'm gagged at the moment because I'm not allowed to say a word while the media are fed this spin by a certain corner."
She also claimed that while she was £1.5million in debt with legal bills, she had to date been offered "nothing" as a financial settlement from Sir Paul, but confusingly added: "How do you know if I even want any money?"
Bizarrely, as she strode on to the street after the interview, she was photographed in a T-shirt which read "Boycott The Sun" in what looked like hastily-made hand-stitched letters.
On ITV's This Morning, she claimed to have spoken to Gordon Brown moments earlier and said he had backed her campaign against the media and to get paparazzi photographers "licensed".
A spokesman for the Prime Minister said he had agreed to look at the "points she was raising ... as he would with any such request".
She also spoke of why she felt the public and media had turned on her.
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"Because I married an icon. That's it. Because I married an icon and because we split up.
"But him and Linda didn't split up, she went through the same and then she was revered when she died."
Asked about the progress of the divorce, she said: "If it was down to me it would happen immediately but it's not down to me, so I think you should ask Paul."
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She also gave interviews on a similar theme to Radio Five Live and to BBC News 24.
Miss Mills's spokesman, former tabloid editor Phil Hall, stepped down yesterday after she decided to launch her media onslaught against his advice.
Media guru Max Clifford said Miss Mills had made a "bad situation even worse", adding: "In terms of the way the British public perceive Kate McCann there is a lot of sympathy for her, and Princess Diana is one of the most popular women on the planet.
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Statement: Heather leaving the GMTV studios after her outburst this morning
"These qualities don't apply to to the way the British public perceive Heather Mills. She is one of the most unpopular women certainly in this country. It is asking for people to attack you."
Sir Paul's former publicist Geoff Baker said: "Poor Heather. As someone who has publicly clashed with her more than most, I'd say she needs love, she needs help. Let her get better ... nobody wants this."
Divorce: With Sir Paul in 2002 before they married
Reader views (19)
Heather came across very desperate and maybe it wasn't very wise to go on telly like that. I kind of understand her need to explain herself after all that's been said and written about her.
Even though it's the toughest thing to do it'd be better to stay silent and remain smiling mysteriously.
- Jenny, Arnhem Netherlands
Stop digging Heather.
- Paul, St. Albans
Absolutely right.
The media attacks anyone they wish with unbelievable force.
This woman is in the middle of a divorce. That is all.
How sick that there is this monstrous campaign of vitriol spewed forth each day by the press against her. Kate McCann has had her daughter abducted- why is she hated? What these two women have in common is that they are intelligent, blonde and attractive.
- Jeannie Armstrong, England
Is it me, or are some celebs better at this than others. I do beleive a dignified silence says more about a person than a rant on national TV. You can't have it both ways - be angry when they write about you, and then go on national TV to fight back. Just rise above it. That would be my advice.
- Flo, Bath
If she's been protecting Paul I would hate to see what happened if
she was out to get him.
- Liz, USA
Words fail me - what a woman.
- Amanda, London
I think this interview is a prime example of why she should sack her publicist - whoever it is, is not doing their job properly!
- Anne Davis, London
Does this woman's self pity know no bounds?
- Scr, London
Hasn’t Kate McCann been through enough suffering already? The last thing she needs is a comparison with Heather Mills.
- Arthur Pantry, London, England
If she's prepared to put herself in the limelight in the first place then I think she deserves all that she gets. Be that financial reward or bed press.
- Rjb, London
Let's face it, without the Macca connection no-one would give a monkey's about her charity or vegetarianism or whatever else this silly woman feels fit to bore us with.
Her arrogance is only equalled by her self-delusion...Do us all a favour. Take whatever money is offered to you and disappear.
- Jon Anthony, United Kingdom
If you don't want the media attention, keep quiet, don't flaunt yourself and stay out of the public eye. You can't have it both ways...and not likely to be in £1.5m debt for very long!
- Priya, London, UK
I think it quite funny that she is going to all the papers and daytime telly progs to prove that she's not a publicity seeker...
- Roger, Cambridge
What did she ever do wrong, and what business is it of people's anyway?
- Jamest, London
The woman is about to be made rich beyond her wildest dreams. She has shown her true colours and intentions in recent months and is the worst kind of gold digger. How dare she compare herself to someone like poor Kate McCann.
- John, Bristol, UK
I saw this interview this morning - and I think she is an example of how the media manipulate people's lives. Here is a woman who is upfront, honest and savvy and strong. She's been to hell and back! Give her a break. The papparazzi are nothing more than scavengers and I totally agree with everything she said in the interview. As singer-songwriter myself I have spent the last 6 years trying to understand the whole celebrity wannabe craze. It puts me off! What has happened to people's integrity and respect for other humans? With the vast majority of people wanting more and more money, recognition, fame... for what? It certainly won't bring happiness as we so often see with A List celebs. Troubled lost souls who have forgetten their purpose in life is to treat others as they wish to be treated. Simple really. Of course we need money - but their are many many ways to make an honest decent living! Ruining others lives is not one of them!
- Sass, London, UK
Heard it all before...and that's a bad jacket too.
- Deuce, Leicester, UK
Ms Mills is utterly incredible, she spends all of her time trying to be in the public eye and then when she is in it (albeit for the wrong reasons), she lashes out and says that she's being vilified. You can't have it both ways, you either want the fame or you don't dear, frankly I'd rather you disappeared off the face of the earth.
- Trevor Roll, London
Oh I wish she'd shut up.
- Isabel, Woking, England
