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Press Release
FNF saddened by increasing level of acrimony between Sir Paul & Lady McCartney
Families Need Fathers maintains that involving lawyers in parental separation results in acrimony.
Family conflict resolution is likely to lead to more positive outcomes for all:
- Family disputes that turn litigious are rarely in the best interests of parents or children
- Involving the legal profession in family matters usually results in a great deal of acrimony and financial burden
- Dispute resolution through support and mediation is the way forward
Families Need Fathers expressed sadness at the news that Sir Paul and Lady McCartney’s well publicised divorce has reached such a level of acrimony that it has become front page news.
John Baker, Chair of UK support charity Families Need Fathers, said: “When Sir Paul and Lady McCartney first announced their separation they put out a joint statement saying it was an amicable parting and that they weren’t interested in a bitter fight. This showed a level of common sense and maturity that was likely to operate in the best interests of their child and provide the basis for both Sir Paul and Lady McCartney to move on with their lives. Unfortunately, as we are now seeing, once solicitors become involved relationships become acrimonious and the battle they are involved in is very likely to deflect from putting the interests of their child first or allow them to come to terms with a difficult and emotional transition in their lives. The allegations and counter allegations (whether true or false) reported today will have far reaching and long term consequences. Sir Paul and Lady McCartney could be investing their energy into a process of mediation to resolve their differences and to ensure that their actions remain in their joint best interests and that of their child. The money they would save could be put in to trust for their daughter, or given to one of the many charities that Sir Paul and Lady McCartney support.”
Each year around 280,000 parental couples separate and around 10% of parents use the courts to resolve contact disputes. However, it is recognised that a child's welfare is best promoted by an absence of conflict during and after separation and by continuing a relationship with both parents where possible (Green Paper on Parental Separation: Children's Needs and Parents' Responsibilities).
“Time and time again we see how parental couples who were initially prepared to work together to minimise the damage of their separation, are turned against each other through the involvement of the legal profession, invariably hurting their children in the process.
Rather than following the model of the Prince and Princess of Wales, therefore, Sir Paul and Lady McCartney would do better to follow the example of the Duke and Duchess of York, “ added John Baker.
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Please see Families Need Fathers ‘programme for change’ Father’s Day Manifesto