Madeleine McCann's parents admit defeat in 13-year libel battle with ex-cop

12 January 2023 , 21:39

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Kate and Gerry McCann have admitted defeat (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Kate and Gerry McCann have admitted defeat in their libel battle with an ex-detective who baselessly accused them of involvement in their daughter’s disappearance.

The couple spent 13 years fighting Goncalo Amaral over his book that falsely claimed they were the “main culprits” over Madeleine’s 2007 abduction in Portugal.

He cruelly alleged he has “no doubt” the kidnap was part of a cover-up.

In 2015, a Lisbon court ordered Amaral to pay the McCanns £440,000 after they won the initial libel case over his book Maddie: The Truth About The Lie.

But an appeal court overturned the decision the following year. And in 2017 the Supreme Court in Portugal also found against the couple.

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In a last-ditch bid for victory, the McCanns, from Rothley, Leics, went to the European Court of Human Rights.

Goncalo Amaral's book falsely claimed Maddie's parents were the 'main culprits' in her abduction (Tim Clarke/Daily Express)

That ended in defeat for the pair last September when the seven judges unanimously upheld the former detective’s right to free speech.

The McCanns were given the right to lodge an appeal – but the Mirror can now reveal they have admitted defeat. The three-month appeal time limit has expired and the case is now listed as “definitif” – final – on the ECHR system.

There was no compensation or costs order made, although Kate and Gerry still face a massive legal bill.

Earlier this week the Mirror revealed the couple had used cash that was raised to find their daughter on legal fees. Newly filed paperwork from Madeleine’s Fund: Leaving No Stone Unturned disclosed it paid £6,695 in legal costs over the libel action.

Madeleine McCann went missing in 2007 (PA)

Christian Brueckner is the main suspect (REX/Shutterstock)

There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing. The McCanns have maintained that they only took action against Amaral because his “unfounded claims were having a detrimental impact on the search for Madeleine”.

In 2020, paedophile Christian Brueckner, 45, was named as the prime suspect by authorities in his native Germany. He was living near Praia da Luz where three-year-old Madeleine was staying while on a family holiday.

Brueckner denies any involvement and is serving a prison term in Germany for rape and is awaiting trial for other sex offences in Portugal.

Martin Fricker