He stresses: "I would like to think we will keep in touch as we have worked very closely together over a number of years and, indeed, the chairman goes back with Harry further than me.
"It is like losing a friend but we all know the rules of football and things move on.
"I have heard things that are simply not true and there are absolutely no problems between us.
"I would be amazed if anyone has got a bad word to say about Harry, and we all have great respect for him."
That feeling is underlined by Paul's insistence that there will be no wrangling over his pay-off and he confirms: "There will be no problems with the contractual side of Harry's severance pay."
"He also reiterated that he does not want Frank Lampard to follow his father out of Upton Park, and emphasises: "We would be very unhappy to let Frank go, as he is part of our future plans.
"With his father leaving, it has just brought the speculation to the surface again, but, when he returns from his treatment, we will be having a chat."
Paul also says that the club will not be rushed into bringing in a new manager, adding: "The only absolute requirement is that we get the appointment of a new manager right.
"Yes, ideally it will be close to the end of this season but I can not say who will or who won't be on the shortlist."
There was some confusion at the Chadwell Heath training base on Friday when reporters, who had heard radio reports that a press conference was being called to announce a new manager, laid siege to the ground.
But Paul explains: "There was no press conference as such, there is no club statement relating to a new manager, but I am meeting the chairman this afternoon and hopefully we can draw up a shortlist."
Regarding speculation that Stuart Pearce would be taking over, he says: "Stuart has stated that he wants to carry on playing but no-one is ruled in or out.
"But Glenn Roeder is in charge until the end of the season and after that it all depends on the selection process."