McCanns threaten action over book
From correspondents in Lisbon
July 25, 2008 02:13am
PORTUGUESE publishers have released a new book written about the Madeleine McCann case, despite a threat of legal action from the missing girl's parents.
Lawyers for Kate and Gerry McCann have been poring over the contents of the book, written by former lead Portuguese detective Goncalo Amaral, in which accusations of involvement by the parents in their daughter's disappearance are repeated.
The book was due to be presented by the author at an evening press conference, three days after Portuguese authorities closed their investigation and lifted the "suspect" label from her parents due to lack of evidence.
In the book, Amaral states that the McCanns are "suspected of being involved in the disappearance of their daughter's body" and speaks of a "simulated kidnapping."
The 214-page work sees Amaral re-trace the steps of his investigation in order, he says, to "contribute towards the discovery of the material truth and the realisation of justice."
"Mr Amaral will face immediate and swift legal action if he in any way implies, either directly or indirectly, that Kate and Gerry were involved in the disappearance or harming of their daughter," McCann spokesman Clarence Mitchell said.
"Beyond that I will not comment. The lawyers will be studying Mr Amaral's book as a matter of some urgency."
Amaral, who was sacked from the investigation last October for criticising British Police, said on Monday that the decision to close the case was "not a declaration of innocence."
The authorities "are not saying that they are innocent," said Amaral, who has promised to give "facts" to back up his conviction that Madeleine "died in the apartment" in some "tragic accident."
Madeleine McCann went missing in May 2007, days before her fourth birthday, from a holiday flat in the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz as her parents dined at a nearby restaurant.
A series of books have been written about the affair, with Amaral already having sold film rights to his work.
In Portuguese daily Diario de Noticias, Mitchell accuses Amaral of wanting to "make money" out of the girl's disappearance, adding that the retired senior detective has been "discredited".
The "suspect" label was also removed from British property consultant Robert Murat, who last week accepted six-figure libel damages from several newspapers over allegations he was involved in her disappearance.
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