Today's stories of alleged drinking, drug-taking and domestic violence within the McCartney household are the latest, but possibly not the last, in a chain of revelations associated with what is fast becoming one of the most high-profile marriage breakdowns in history.

So what could be driving the salacious revelations from both sides of the McCartney fence? Are their emotions running out of control? Or do they simply not realise that the divorce field is one playing pitch where the bigger the ego, the easier it is to score an own goal?

I can't help but wonder whether, when Sir Paul and Lady McCartney have time to reflect, they won't bitterly regret engaging in the behaviour which has seen the lid lifted on the minute details of their wealth, lifestyle and family? Especially when - from my own experience - this behaviour is likely to have little impact on the final outcome of their settlement. A dripfeed of deliberately shocking revelations to the media may succeed in swaying public opinion - at least until the next story comes along - but it will make no difference to the courts.

Thousands of marriages end each year. But, like so many people caught up in the emotional fall out of marital breakdown, Sir Paul may have misjudged what the fall-out would be.

No doubt he would have wanted to ensure that nothing Lady Heather did in the future could rebound on him or his family. If that was so, issuing proceedings against her on the basis of her unreasonable behaviour may not with hindsight have been the best way to achieve that. What's the phrase - a woman scorned?

And because our divorce law, which is sorely in need of reform, currently allows couples to wallow in each other's conduct, he seems to have unwittingly opened a very large and damaging can of worms.

So what to do about it? If the former Beatle has offered £30million, which leaks to the press suggest has happened, it is a reasonable offer as far as I am concerned. But overall, in the context of his wealth, reputedly approaching £1billion, it's an offer that Lady McCartney is unlikely to accept and one which will easily be challenged in court.

That will be where the real fight begins. The risk for Sir Paul is that details may continue to emerge that will (whether they are true or not) damage him irreparably.

Lady McCartney's story, if she were ever to think of selling it, would be worth untold millions in worldwide book, TV and film rights. And that, in my opinion, is the real value of settling her claim; namely to prevent the lasting damage she could potentially cause to the entire McCartney clan, including Sir Paul's talented daughters, Stella and Mary.

So Sir Paul, my advice to you is to be commercial. Put aside all your natural and understandable emotional feelings. Forget the media baying at your door and the horrible and unnecessary backbiting we're witnessing. Its only ego after all. And life consists of so much more.

There is a price to pay for peace of mind, for all of you. Pay up, do it quickly and get a "gagging order" as part of the deal. You and all your family, including your wife and child, still have a chance of walking away with dignity. You can even, in time, try to rebuild a relationship of sorts with Lady McCartney. You should do. Put a stop to this press speculation now.

Marilyn Stowe is head of the Family Law Unit at Grahame Stowe Bateson

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