The Sunday Telegraph - July 26th, 1998
The daughter of rock singer Michael Hutchence is at the centre of a custody tug-of-war. Hutchence's mother, Patricia Glassop, may seek custody of the dead star's only child and heir.
Yesterday, two year old Tiger Lily enjoyed an outing at the Paddington markets while in Sydney to visit her grandfather Kel Hutchence. Tiger Lily is being looked after by a family friend while her mother, Paula Yates, continues to receive treatment for depression at a British Clinic.
While in London recently, Mrs Glassop discussed Tiger Lily's future with Yates' ex-husband Bob Geldof. Kel Hutchence yesterday refused to be drawn into discussing the reported custody threat.
"I would rather not comment in these circumstances. It's all a bit loaded," he said. "Tiger is here. She's here to have a little holiday and spend some private time bonding with me and the rest of my family. We'll be going to the park and the zoo and doing all those other lovely things one can do in Sydney."
Her father is dead, her mother is desperately battling depression and now little Tiger Lily Hutchence is at the centre of a custody tug-of-war. The impish faced child, christened Heavenly Hiranni Tiger Lily with such optimism by her parents, has reportedly become the latest target in an international fued.
With Paula Yates continuing to receive treatment at a clinic in the UK, two year old Tiger has become more vunerable to the hostilities between her relations. Reports from London suggest Michael Hutchence's mother Patricia Glassop is considering seeking custody of his only child and heir.
Mrs Glassop reportedly discussed Tiger's future while on a visit to London with Ms Yates' ex-husband Bob Geldof. Geldof - who has temporarily taken custody of his own three daughters by Yates - did at one point in their messy battle, include Tiger's name on court custody documents before being forced to withdraw. It is no secret Mrs Glassop and Ms Yates intensely dislike one another.
Ms Yates is still tremendously upset with Mrs Glassop over a report that brought Police to her door during the last visit she made to Australia with Tiger in April.
Police from The Rocks station were sent to check on the then 20 month old Tiger after being contacted by their Gold Coast counterparts about Mrs Glassop's concern for the welfare of the child.
The hostilities have been compounded by legal action mounted by Mrs Glassop and her daughter Tina over the Hutchence estate. The INXS idol's wealth is tied up in a web of trusts to be administered at the discretion of the lawyers.
Under the terms of his legacy, Hutchence's mother Patricia, his sister Tina, father Kelland and brother Rhett together with Tiger's mother all received and identical cash bequest. Mercifully, Tiger who turned two last week, is too young to be aware of the maelstrom around her.
Since arriving in Australia with Ms Yates' best friend Belinda Brewin and her two children, Tiger has been "having a ball". The separation from Tiger, though very hard on Ms Yates, will give her time to recuperate and regain her strength.
On Friday she lunched with her grandfather at The Rocks and visited the Fairy Store at Bondi Junction. Yesterday Ms Brewin and the children inspected Paddington market, mingling with out notice among the scores of shoppers, before lunch with her grandfather at Catalina in Rose Bay.
Mr Hutchence, looking fit after a recent heart bypass operation, refused to be drawn into discussing the reported custody threat.
"I would rather not comment in these circumstances. It's all a bit loaded," he said. "Tiger is here. She is here to have a little holiday and spend some private time bonding with me and the rest of my family," he said.
"We'll be going to the park and zoo and doing all those other lovely things one can do in Sydney."