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Sad McCartney pleads for privacy

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(CNN) -- Former Beatle Paul McCartney has defended himself against allegations of mistreatment allegedly made by his estranged wife, former model Heather Mills.

The couple is in divorce proceedings.

"Since the breakdown of his marriage, Sir Paul McCartney has maintained his silence in not commenting on the media stories, believing that it was best for all concerned, particularly his children, for there to be some dignity in what is a private matter," the musician's spokesman, Paul Freundlich, said in a written statement. (Watch why a lawyer thinks public accusations affect settlement -- 2:08)

"Our client would very much like to respond in public and in detail to the allegations made recently against him by his wife and published in the press but he recognizes, on advice, that the only correct forum for his response to the allegations made against him is in the current divorce proceedings. Our client will be defending these allegations vigorously and appropriately.

"Our client is saddened by the breakdown of his marriage and requests that his family is allowed to conduct their personal affairs out of the media spotlight for the sake of everybody involved."

The charges were published in the British tabloid Daily Mail and the Evening Standard, which described them as extracts from court documents filed by the former model.

The law firm representing Heather Mills McCartney told CNN that court documents had been filed, but it would not say whether the documents cited by the newspapers were legitimate. CNN has not been able to determine their authenticity.

The couple has a 2-year-old daughter.

The 64-year-old musician has won 13 Grammy Awards and one Academy Award.

He and Heather Mills, 38, married four years ago. They announced their separation in May.

People Magazine has estimated McCartney's worth at more than $1.6 billion.

He has said he did not ask Mills to sign a prenuptial agreement because he thought it would be "unromantic."

The musician's first wife, Linda McCartney, died of breast cancer in 1998.

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