IT MAY have cost him £24 million. But what's the betting Sir Paul McCartney will consider it not only the best £24 million that he's ever spent - but the best £24 million ANYONE'S ever spent?

Because now he's free of Heather Mills-stone from hanging round his neck.

AND there's a legal judgment branding his ex-wife (and that's the polite way of describing this woman after her fruit-loop behaviour) as "not just inconsistent and inaccurate but also less than candid".

Mr Justice Bennett went on to say: "He (Sir Paul) was consistent, accurate and honest". And then adds "I can't say the same about the wife."

Heather's testimony obviously made a big impression on the judge. But not the one she hoped.

In his written judgment, published against Heather's will, Judge Bennett also describes Heather's behaviour as "distinctly distasteful". He accuses her of "warped perception" and being a "less than impressive witness".

It was utterly damning but Heather won't see it like that. She'll probably add the judge to the list of everyone who's against her, never seeing just why so many people so dislike her.

Big money divorce cases are always unedifying spectacles. But this one has been repulsive.

Heather claims her husband was mean with money yet from April 2003 the court found, he gave her £360,000 a year - that's nearly £1,000 a day - and she wanted for nothing. His money bought her homes and cars and respectability -- he gallantly refused to either believe or comment on her soft-porn past and would ring papers up to defend her.

She, on the other hand, demanded £125 million and has tried to paint him as parsimonious and self-centred. No evidence for this has ever been stood up in any court. Worst of all is her willingness to use her daughter Bea's welfare as an excuse to attack Sir Paul.

Heather told the court she believed Bea would suffer without 24/7 security protection and if she didn't travel first class. Sir Paul, who has successfully raised three children of his own and the daughter of his first wife, Linda, disagreed.

I reckon Bea McCartney is far more likely to suffer from having a mother like the ranting, raving Heather.

Heather Mills has finally been shown up for what she is: greedy.

So £24 million to get shot of her was cheap at the price.