"She wants to hit him where it hurts... in the pocket and they don’t come much better than Don."

Sources have commented that she may be able to pocket up to £15 million in lifelong payments for their unborn kid.

A law source added: "Don’s services don’t come cheap but he is one of the best lawyers around. Most lawyers would relish taking on an A-List star and Don would surely be no exception."

Mel is determined to win and the friend concluded: "This is war - and if Eddie doesn’t know it, he will shortly."

Mel gets some Spice support - Dec 20 2006
It seems after all these years, the Spice Girls still stick together.

Former Ginger Spice Geri Halliwell has been comforting Mel B since her split from actor Eddie Murphy, according to the Daily Express.

Mel, 31, has apparently been dumped by the Beverly Hills Cop star after a whirlwind romance.

She claims to be carrying his baby but Eddie has publicly questioned whether he is the father.

Despite their turbulent friendship, it seems Geri, 34, who has a daughter, Bluebell, has offered former Scary Spice Mel a shoulder to cry.

A source said: "Geri believes this is the time to be kind and supportive and not to remember past conflicts."

The friend continued: "Mel has told Geri she felt scared and humiliated. Her daughter Phoenix Chi had met Eddie’s children and it was already like one big family.

"Geri - who feels settled and strong as a new mother - knows Mel is alone in LA and fears she will be ostracised. She has been in floods of tears - Geri has never seen her so bewildered."

Mel B: Eddie is the father - Dec 7 2006
Eddie Murphy has said he is not sure if he is the father of former Spice Girl Mel B’s unborn child. The singer, however, says she is quite certain he is.

"I am obviously upset and distressed at some of the comments made by Eddie Murphy to the media," the 31-year-old said in a statement released by her publicist, Nadine Bibi.

"I have no idea why anyone would want to conduct themselves in this kind of manner about such a personal matter in such a public way. My main concern is for the well-being of my daughter, Phoenix, and of course the baby. I was astonished by what Eddie said. There is absolutely no question that Eddie is the father."

Bibi said Mel -- formerly known as Scary Spice -- was not giving interviews "at this stage."

Eddie, 45, who stars in the upcoming Dreamgirls film, was recently asked by a TV interviewer if he was excited that Mel was pregnant.

"Now you’re being presumptuous because we’re not together anymore," Eddie replied.

"And I don’t know whose child that is until it comes out and has a blood test. You shouldn’t jump to conclusions, sir."

A clip of the interview was posted earlier this week on the entertainment Web site TMZ.com.

Arnold Robinson, a spokesman for Eddie, said he did not comment on the actor’s personal life.

Mel’s distress at Eddie - Dec 7 2006
Melanie Brown has spoken out over her relationship with Eddie Murphy - saying she was "distressed" and "astonished" by his comments about her.

The pregnant ex-Spice Girl was thought to believe that the couple were going to marry when she flew into Britain recently following their whirlwind romance.

But she was stunned when the Hollywood star went on a TV show to tell the world their relationship was over, and questioned whether he was the father of her baby.