Kate and Gerry McCann try to block detective's book

Parents of missing Madeleine deeply offended by suggestion that they were involved in her death

LAST UPDATED 7:51 AM, MAY 18, 2009

The parents of the missing six-year-old Madeleine McCann are to sue for defamation the Portuguese police officer who led the search for their daughter. Goncalo Amaral has claimed in a book, The Truth About the Lie, that Madeleine died in a tragic accident on May 3, 2007, the night she was last seen in the resort of Praia da Luz, and that the subsequent two-year search has been a futile exercise.

Kate and Gerry McCann believe there is no evidence for Amaral's claim and have hired a Portuguese libel lawyer to try to get the book pulped and stop an accompanying documentary produced by Amaral being shown beyond Portugal.

The Truth About the Lie has already sold a quarter of a million copies in Europe and an English version has been produced in the United States. It has not found yet a publisher in Britain - drawing the rebuke from Amaral's Portuguese publisher: "The McCanns have a very powerful influence in British society".

Amid considerable controversy, and accusations of incompetence, Amaral led the search for Madeleine for five months before being removed from the inquiry in October 2007. It was Amaral who was responsible for having the McCanns declared arguidos or formal suspects.

The McCanns say they are suing because Amaral's implication is not only that their daughter is dead but that they were involved in concealing her body. They say they are deeply offended by the "disgraceful thesis that we are somehow involved in the disappearance of our much loved daughter". Amaral is threatening to counter-sue because of "slanderous denunciations".

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Well they've certainly not behaved like distraught grieving parents at any point. We all know what parents of a missing child look like; they are tearful, incapable of speaking lucidly, concern written all over their faces along with a barely concealed terror at the thought that their child is dead or suffering. This pair have looked cold and in control right from the start, the father looking uptight and angry, the mother worried; were calling press conferences and issuing countless photographs to feed the media frenzy, and the Maddie appeal fund has made them millions, and paid off the mortgage. There's something not right.

Posted by Peter Simmons at 12:57pm on May 20, 2009

Would suggest Peter Simmons research this more, As the McCanns were advised by liason officer to try not to show emotion in their interviews, so as to prevent the perpetrator/s getting their "jollies" from it!! You bet Gerry looked angry, wouldn't you if it was your child!!! They were advised by experts to get her photograph out there as soon as possible, just as the British Police do, as does the F.B.I. in the U.S.A. And the McCanns have not made millions for themselves, this money started to flow into their home whilst they were still in Portugal, and the family did not know what to do with it, they had a meeting and decided to set up a fund to help find Madeleine. I sent money to this fund as I wanted to help find her and will again, should it be necessary. And by the way they did not pay off their mortgage. Don't take my word for it, the accounting of this fund has been published, check it out...... I sincerely suggest you check your facts before you try and spread your nasty lies!!!

Posted by maureen at 9:33pm on August 6, 2009

Yep, it's a crusade, and the faithful send their money in. Too many inexplicable inconsistencies for the sceptical to accept however. I would suggest Maureen and others like her tries to be less gullible. And I am spreading no 'lies', I merely express my opinion, which I am entitled to do. Typical of 'true believers' that they start flinging around accusations whenever anyone voices a different view. So where did this 'liaison officer' come from? And how come right from the start they were totally in control? Not a flicker of emotion as with ALL other chiuld abduction cases; parents barely able to speak, let alone run a publicity campaign and daily press conferences. Even the police became suspicious. No, I wouldn't be angry if it happened to my child, I would be distraught, in total panic, and despite being able to control myself in most situations, I would have been incapable in this scenario.

Posted by Peter Simmons at 11:29am on August 7, 2009