Heather wins £50,000 libel payout

Heather Mills, the wife of Sir Paul McCartney, won £50,000 libel damages in the High Court today following allegations that she was guilty of dishonesty with charity funds.

The 34-year-old is to give the cash to her own charity Adopt-A-Minefield UK.

The ruling follows an article published in the Sunday Mirror in May entitled "Heather faces quiz on £250K charity appeal" relating to funds raised on behalf of earthquake victims in India.

Her counsel, Thomas Shields QC, said that the allegations, made shortly before her wedding to Sir Paul this year, "caused her considerable distress and embarrassment" and were "wholly without foundation". The money raised was just over £68,000 and not £250,000 and all the monies were distributed and accounted for.

Mr Shields described how Ms Mills was a successful model when at the age of 25 in 1993 she lost part of her left leg in a road accident.

After the accident she devoted her time to raising money for those who have suffered the loss of a limb and victims of landmines.

Mr Shields said publishers Mirror Group Newspapers had paid £50,000 into court reflecting "the baselessness of the allegations made against her".

They also agreed to pay her legal costs which were in excess of £50,000.