McCartney offers $50m for daughter: report

Paul McCartney has offered estranged wife Heather Mills $50m to secure custody of their daughter Beatrice, according to a UK tabloid report.

Mills is already claiming millions from McCartney as a divorce settlement, and The News of the World says the extra $50m is being offered by the former Beatle to stave off a bitter court battle for their three-year-old child.

The former Beatle has reportedly been openly discussing the offer with friends and family, despite public claims from Sir Paul and Heather that they would take care of Beatrice jointly.

"Paul only wants what's best for his little girl. She means everything to him," an 'anonymous friend' told The News of the World. "He is worried she will slowly cut him out of his daughter's life and he couldn't bear that. Paul wants the divorce and custody of Beatrice settled in a one-off transaction."

If the rumoured offer is accepted it will mean the widely publicised divorce will cost Sir Paul — who is said to have refused Mills' offer of a pre-nuptial agreement — a staggering $250m.

The tabloid report came as billionaire arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi broke his silence about Heather Mills' claim she wasn't involved in prostitution.

Khashoggi pointedly refused to deny that he had employed Mills to sleep with him and guests at Spanish parties.

McCartney, 64, and former model Mills, 38, announced their separation in May, blaming media intrusion for the failure of their marriage.

Their divorce proceedings have been making headlines since then, with both having hired high-profile lawyers — Mills chose the late Princess Diana's former lawyer Anthony Julius, while McCartney has entrusted the defence of his interests to Prince Charles's former counsel, Fiona Shackleton.