Mills 'wants divorce battle in public'

Heather Mills will reportedly ask for her imminent divorce court battle with Sir Paul McCartney to be held in public.

The media would then be free to publish details of arguments and marriage problems raised in the hearing expected to begin today.

According to the People, Mills wants her claims about Sir Paul's "violent past" to be made public. She will apparently call for judge Mr Justice Bennett to allow a rare change in the rules and lift reporting restrictions.

"Heather wants to make the history of their relationship public," said a source. "She has continually said she wants to reveal her husband's violent past.

"The public's negative perception of her has been a constant source of distress to her and she hopes going down this route will change that."

The High Court will this week look at how much Mills should get from Sir Paul's reported £825m fortune.

They have failed to reach a settlement in earlier negotiations and the former Beatle is said to want an order to stop Mills speaking about their relationship in public.