By Nick Butler

Heather Mills has been threatened with a fine by the IPC following her supposed outburst ©Getty ImagesDecember 19 - Heather Mills has been threatened with threatened disciplinary action by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) following accusations that the Briton "verbally abused" and "physically harassed" an official.


The model and former wife of Beatle Sir Paul McCartney, who lost her left leg in an accident in 1993, had made rapid progress after announcing her intention to qualify for the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympics three years ago.

But, after announcing earlier this week that she had abandoned her qualification attempts as a result of injuries sustained by IPC rule changes which ruled her prosthetic boot unusable, a remarkable row has developed.

The IPC's director of communications, Craig Spence, accused Mills of "breaking into a rage", lunging at leading IPC official Sylvana Mestre and screaming insults before being restrained, in what he described as "harassment and absolutely disgraceful behaviour".

The 45-year old is now facing a fine of up to €1,000 (£850/$1,400) and a referral to the IPC's Legal and Ethics Commission.

Mills had made significant improvement and appeared likely to be selected for Sochi...but those hopes are now over ©Getty ImagesMills had made significant improvement and appeared likely to be selected for Sochi...but those hopes are now over ©Getty Images


This version of events is supported by Mestre, head of the IPC's Alpine Skiing Sport Technical Committee

"I was trying to explain to her that this is not the equipment we approved earlier in the year and then that was it, she exploded," the official told the BBC.

"She jumped on me and started to say I was a bitch - she grabbed me from the back and she started to say that 'you don't know who I am, I will make your life miserable.'

"I don't understand the reaction."

Mills did not answer to requests to respond to these allegations from insidethegames but a contrary statement was issued by her management team refuting the claims of the IPC. 

The statement read: "Heather waited patiently - as the IPC confirmed - to try and explain to Sylvana Mestre that her left boot was legal and purely cosmetic to abide by the archaic IPC rules - it was just cut down and the buckles removed to stop more weight limb damage."

It will be hoped that the Heather Mills affair will not detract from the Paralympic preparations of the rest of the British team ©Getty ImagesIt will be hoped that the Heather Mills affair will not detract from the Paralympic preparations of the rest of the British team ©Getty Images


Although emphasising that the matter was between Mills and the IPC and occurred after she had resigned from the British team, the British Paralympic Association (BPA) and the British Disabled Ski Team (BDST) are sticking by their statement released earlier this week.

In this they express their "sadness that Mills has decided to retire at this stage, rather than working with BDST and IPC Skiing to resolve the issue."

"Heather has shown determination and made great progress over the past few months and is to be commended for the success she's had in her skiing career," the statement added.