The article was a celebrity top-100 list, compiled by Piers Morgan, which included criticism of Ms Mills (who featured at number 100 in the list). Ms Mills argued that a claim made in the piece - that Mr Morgan had "introduced" her to her former husband Sir Paul McCartney at the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards in 1999 - was factually incorrect. She said that they had not met during the event itself, let alone been physically introduced by Mr Morgan.
The newspaper said that Mr Morgan had, in his capacity as the then-editor of the Daily Mirror, invited both the complainant and Sir Paul McCartney to the event. It was Mr Morgan's recollection that he had physically introduced the couple that evening; in any case, Sir Paul had subsequently called Ms Mills at Mr Morgan's suggestion and offered to make a donation to her charity. They began dating shortly afterwards and, as such, Mr Morgan was the conduit for their relationship. The claim had been made on numerous occasions over the years and had not been called into question by either Ms Mills or Sir Paul.
The Commission did not uphold the complaint, ruling that it was not in a position so long after the occasion to reconcile the conflicting recollections held by the parties. It was not in dispute that it was at an event organised by Mr Morgan's newspaper that Sir Paul had seen Ms Mills for the first time, that he contacted her shortly afterwards, and that they subsequently began dating. Given that Mr Morgan had invited both guests to the event, the Commission "did not consider that it was misleading to suggest that he had effectively been the means to their introduction".
To read the full adjudication please click here.
Peter Wright, the editor of The Mail on Sunday, is a member of the Commission. According to the PCC, he took no part in the PCC's deliberations on this complaint, and left the room when it was discussed. He did not see any correspondence connected to the case.
The PCC has successfully resolved a number of complaints from Ms Mills against various newspapers. For further details, please click here.
