Anne Guedes: Libel Damages Trial Reports 

Photos: from McCann Libel trial by Anne Guedes

Dr. Goncalo Amaral's Book "Truth of the Lie" English Translation

Kate McCann delivers a brief statement to the press outside the Palace of Justice in Lisbon

Update: Trial to start on September 12, 2013, 10 September 2013

Update: Trial to start on September 12, 2013 PJGA 10 September 2013 The civil complaint that was filed by the McCann family against Gonçalo Amaral and other defendants will begin to be tried on Thursday, September 12, 2013, at the Civil Court of Lisbon, from 9.30 a.m. Other trial sessions have been scheduled for the 13th, 19th, 20th and 27th of September. At the heart of this trial lies Gonçalo Amaral's book "The Truth of the Lie", which tells the story of the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann in Praia da Luz, on the 3rd of May, 2007, until the day that Mr Amaral was removed from his post as coordinator of the Portuguese Judiciary Police's office in Portimão. Projecto Justiça Gonçalo Amaral wishes Mr Amaral the best of luck for the upcoming trial and fully expects for justice to prevail.

Kate McCann boards plane to Portugal, 11 September 2013

Kate McCann boards plane to Portugal Twitter (Duane Keane)

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Kate McCann to attend libel case, 11 September 2013

Kate McCann to attend libel case Southern Daily Echo Press Association 9:27pm Wednesday 11th September 2013 The mother of missing Madeleine McCann is expected to attend a Portuguese court for the start of the family's libel action against a former local police chief. Kate McCann will be accompanied by her mother Susan Healy for the first hearing of the case against Goncalo Amaral who published a book making allegations about the three-year-old's disappearance. The McCanns have strongly denied the accusations and say the former detective's claims have damaged the hunt for Madeleine and exacerbated the anguish suffered by her relatives. Their lawyer Isabel Duarte is expected to set out the case - on behalf of Mrs McCann, her husband Gerry and their twins Sean and Amelie, now eight - at Lisbon's civil court. Mrs McCann, who is travelling to Portugal for the hearing, could have been called as a witness but is not expected to give evidence. Instead, a number of relatives will appear in the witness box. They will give evidence relating to the "damage" caused by Mr Amaral's book which, they claim, poisoned public opinion in Portugal against the family and allegedly deterred people from hunting for Madeleine. The family stands to gain around £1 million in damages if their legal action succeeds. Spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: "Kate and Gerry McCann remain very confident that they will win the case. "They have a strong case against Mr Amaral. The matter is now in the hands of their lawyer as it goes through court."

McCanns await start of Portuguese police chief case, 11 September 2013

McCanns await start of Portuguese police chief case ITV News 9:34pm, Wed 11 Sep 2013 Last updated Wed 11 Sep 2013 The mother of missing Madeleine McCann will have to face painful memories tomorrow at the start of a libel case against a former police chief in Portugal. Kate and Gerry McCann Credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire Goncalo Amaral has published a book making allegations about the three-year-old's disappearance, which the McCanns say has poisoned public opinion in Portugal against the family and deterred search efforts. Kate McCann, who is not expected to give evidence, will be accompanied by her mother Susan Healy for the first hearing at Lisbon's civil court. The family stands to gain around £1 million in damages if their legal action succeeds. -------------- McCanns' relatives to testify on 'damage' book inflicted ITV News 9:54pm, Wed 11 Sep 2013 Relatives of Kate and Gerry McCann are expected to give evidence at the libel trial of Portuguese police chief Goncalo Amaral. Mr McCann's cousin Michael Wright is expected to be among those giving evidence relating to the "damage" caused by Mr Amaral's book. Private investigator Dave Edgar, who assisted with the search for the missing child, is also part of proceedings.

Kate McCann to attend libel case, 11 September 2013

Kate McCann to attend libel case Yorkshire Evening Post Published: 11 September 2013 21:52 The mother of missing Madeleine McCann is expected to attend a Portuguese court for the start of the family's libel action against a former local police chief. Kate McCann will be accompanied by her mother Susan Healy for the first hearing of the case against Goncalo Amaral who published a book making allegations about the three-year-old's disappearance. The McCanns have strongly denied the accusations and say the former detective's claims have damaged the hunt for Madeleine and exacerbated the anguish suffered by her relatives. Their lawyer Isabel Duarte is expected to set out the case - on behalf of Mrs McCann, her husband Gerry and their twins Sean and Amelie, now eight - at Lisbon's civil court. Mrs McCann, who is travelling to Portugal for the hearing, could have been called as a witness but is not expected to give evidence. Instead, a number of relatives will appear in the witness box. They will give evidence relating to the "damage" caused by Mr Amaral's book which, they claim, poisoned public opinion in Portugal against the family and allegedly deterred people from hunting for Madeleine. The family stands to gain around £1 million in damages if their legal action succeeds. Spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: "Kate and Gerry McCann remain very confident that they will win the case. They have a strong case against Mr Amaral. The matter is now in the hands of their lawyer as it goes through court." It is understood Mr McCann will not attend the hearing and will instead stay at the family home in Rothley, Leicestershire, to look after the children. The doctor is believed to have work commitments which have prevented him from travelling to Portugal. It is unclear which family members will give evidence but Mrs McCann's cousin Michael Wright will appear in court at some point during the legal fight. Private investigator Dave Edgar, who assisted with the search for the missing child, is also part of proceedings. Mr Amaral, the detective who initially led the inquiry into Madeleine's disappearance, is expected to argue that under Portuguese law he is entitled to make the claims published in The Truth Of The Lie. The former officer was removed from the Portuguese investigation in October 2007 after criticising the British police. His book is still on sale in Portugal. The libel case will be heard on Thursday and Friday. It will then be adjourned until next Thursday when the court will sit again for two days. A final hearing is expected on Friday 27. The judgment is expected to be deferred.

Tweet from Martin Brunt, Sky News, 11 September 2013

Tweet from Martin Brunt, Sky News Twitter 11 September 2013 10:23 PM martinbrunt ‏@skymartinbrunt #madeleine Ex-cop Goncalo Amaral defends McCann libel action in Lisbon tomorrow and is expected to ask judge to hold hearing in private.

Kate McCann faces former police chief in £1m libel trial over Madeleine's disappearance, 11 September 2013

Kate McCann faces former police chief in £1m libel trial over Madeleine's disappearance The Telegraph Kate McCann will come face to face with the former police chief she and her husband Gerry accuse of hampering the search for their missing daughter Madeleine when their libel case against him starts in Lisbon on Thursday. By Fiona Govan, Lisbon 11:27PM BST 11 Sep 2013 Mrs McCann's attendance in court is understood to be against the advice of Scotland Yard detectives who are attempting to launch their own investigation in the Algarve to try to solve the six-year mystery. The couple are suing disgraced detective Goncalo Amaral for £1 million over allegations he made about the fate of Madeleine, who disappeared from an apartment in Praia da Luz shortly before her fourth birthday in May, 2007. It is feared that her presence in Portugal will provoke a media circus and further aggravate Portuguese authorities as the Scotland Yard team seek cooperation to carry out their own inquiries on Portuguese soil. A source said: "Because of the sensitivity of the situation, police don't want the McCanns anywhere near the country because they fear it could turn into a media circus. "The Met police are worried it will create a bigger platform for Mr Amaral and his supporters to spout more bile and could damage their own inquiries in the country. "It will be bad enough having all the old allegations dragged up again and repeated. No doubt Mr Amaral will want to say his bit outside the court and it will all flare up again. It will not be helpful for the Yard." Neither Mr nor Mrs McCann from Rothley, Leicestershire, are due to give evidence in the libel trial against Mr Amaral, who headed the initial investigation into their daughter's disappearance which led to the couple being named as suspects. Instead, Dave Edgar, a private investigator hired by the family to search for Madeleine and Michael Wright, husband of Mrs McCann's cousin Anne-Marie, will tell the hearing how Mr Amaral's "poisonous lies" have nearly destroyed the family. However, Mrs McCann made a last minute decision to attend the first day of the civil case and is expected to give a statement outside court. A source close to the couple said yesterday: "She doesn't particularly want to see again the man who has heaped so much extra pain on her family. But her lawyers felt that one of Madeleine's parents, if not both, should be there in person. Kate agreed to go while Gerry is busy working and looking after the twins. She is not expected to be giving evidence but will be sitting in the court room." The McCanns, who are both 45, were finally cleared in July 2008, when the Portuguese police investigation was shelved for lack of evidence. But the following month, Mr Amaral who was sacked from the investigation and has since left the police force, published a book accusing them of faking their daughter's abduction to cover up her death in the apartment. In 2010, they won a court battle in Lisbon to ban sales of the book entitled "The truth of the Lie", a ruling that was overturned later that year. Mr McCann, a heart specialist and Mrs McCann, a former GP, are now seeking damages for themselves and their twins, Sean and Amelie plus further damages for the harm caused to the search for Madeleine, who would now be ten years old. In a 36-page writ, first lodged in June 2009, they describe Mr Amaral as a self obsessed, manipulative money-grabber and accuse him of libel and breaching their human rights. In July Scotland Yard announced a full-scale investigation into the girl's disappearance after identifying 38 potential new suspects and said they had requested assistance from Portugal's Policia Judiciaria. A team of 37 detectives has spent the last two years examining thousands of documents, witness statements and evidence reports as part of a government funded review of the case ordered by Prime Minister David Cameron.

Madeleine: Brave mum Kate faces new ordeal in Portuguese court room, 12 September 2013

Madeleine: Brave mum Kate faces new ordeal in Portuguese court room Daily Express (paper edition)   SEE PAGE 5 ------------ Madeleine's mother will face her police tormentor in court Daily Express KATE McCann will today come face-to-face with the former police chief she accuses of hampering the search for her missing daughter Madeleine. By: David Pilditch Published: Thu, September 12, 2013   The brave mother will face fresh agony in the Portuguese capital Lisbon, where she is launching a court bid to silence her tormentor Goncalo Amaral over allegations he made about the fate of the youngster. Former GP Kate and husband Gerry, both 45, are seeking £1million in damages from the former detective they say made their lives hell. Amaral, 56, claims the couple lied about the events surrounding Madeleine’s disappearance. He went on to write a book in which he alleged Madeleine died in the family's holiday apartment and her parents covered up the tragedy. Kate flew to Lisbon last night accompanied by her mother Susan Healey. She is not expected to give evidence during the libel hearing. Heart consultant Gerry will remain at the couple’s home in Rothley, Leicestershire, to look after their eight-year-old twins Sean and Amelie. Michael Wright, the husband of Kate’s cousin Anne-Marie, will tell the Lisbon hearing that Amaral's "poisonous lies" nearly destroyed the family. Kate agreed to attend court at the last moment on the advice of her Portuguese lawyer Isabel Duarte. A source close to the McCanns said yesterday: "Kate's lawyers felt that one of Madeleine's parents should be there in person. Kate agreed to go while Gerry looks after the twins. "She is not expected to give evidence but will be sitting in the courtroom." Madeleine vanished during a family holiday in the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz in May 2007, days before her fourth birthday. Her parents are convinced she was abducted and insist there is no evidence to suggest that she is no longer alive. She would now be 10. They refuse to give up hope and have said a payout if they win the case will help fund the global search for Madeleine. In his book The Truth Of The Lie, Amaral claimed Madeleine died in an accident or from an overdose of sedatives. He accused her parents of making up the abduction story and disposing of her body. The McCanns fiercely deny his allegations. In a 36-page writ, they describe Amaral as a self-obsessed, manipulative money-grabber and accuse him of libel and breaching their human rights. They describe in detail the anguish he has caused through what they say are "repeated smears". And they claim his slurs have damaged the worldwide search for their daughter because people will stop looking if they believe she is dead. Kate and Gerry have attended several hearings in the libel battle, which has dragged on four years. The latest is scheduled to last five days spread over three weeks. It is expected a ruling will be reserved. The McCann source added: "They have been told that every word they have said against Mr Amaral, in response to his ludicrous claims, will be challenged. Lawyers on both sides tried to settle out of court but it was not to be." The McCanns won a gagging order banning the book, which has been translated into several languages. But the ruling was overturned in October 2010 after Amaral appealed. He was given a jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, over an unrelated conviction of perjury by falsifying documents in May 2009. Amaral headed the investigation into Madeleine's disappearance when her parents were made "arguidos" or potential suspects but was kicked off the inquiry and retired. The McCann's spokesman Clarence Mitchell said last night: "Kate and Gerry remain confident they will win. They have a very strong case." An elite Scotland Yard squad is set to launch a joint fresh inquiry with Portuguese police after 38 potential suspects from five countries, including 12 Britons, were identified.

Kate McCann in £1m court battle with accuser, 12 September 2013

Kate McCann in £1m court battle with accuser Daily Star KATE McCann will today come face-to-face with the disgraced police detective who accused her of covering up daughter Madeleine's death. By Jerry Lawton / Published 12th September 2013 She will attend a libel trial in a bid to win £1million damages from Goncalo Amaral over his claims, which she believes hampered the search for Maddie. Former GP Kate, 45, is not expected to give evidence at the civil court in Portuguese capital Lisbon. Her heart consultant husband Gerry, 45, has stayed at home in Rothley, Leics, to care for their eight-year-old twins. Amaral, 56, who was convicted of perjury in 2009 for falsifying documents in the case of another missing girl, insists in his book, The Truth Of The Lie, that Maddie died in an accident or from an overdose of sedatives. Private investigator Dave Edgar, hired by the McCanns, and Michael Wright, husband of Kate's cousin Anne-Marie, will tell the hearing how the "poisonous lies" nearly destroyed the missing girl's family.

Daily Star, paper edition: 'Face-to-face with the cop who said I killed Maddie', 12 September 2013

Martin Brunt reporting from Lisbon, 12 September 2013

Martin Brunt reporting from Lisbon Live Sky News broadcast 07:08 AM | 12 September 2013 With thanks to A. Miller for transcript Sky studio Charlotte Hawkins: And the parents of missing Madeleine begin their libel case this morning against a Portuguese Police Chief who accused them of involvement in their daughter's disappearance. Live to Lisbon now and our crime correspondent Martin Brunt is there. And Martin what will be happening today? Lisbon Martin Brunt: Kate McCann is expected to be here although she won't be giving evidence. The Portuguese lawyers for the family have at the last minute almost suggested that her presence might be helpful to their case. Today's start of a libel hearing is really a resumption of a hearing that began almost... no more than three years ago and it's all about the McCanns trying to get a Judge to accept that Goncal Amaral, who was the original investigator in the case of Madeleine McCann's disappearance, had defamed the couple. He was taken off the case within a few months of Madeleine's disappearance. He then resigned from the Portuguese Police and wrote a very controversial book called the Truth of the Lie, in which he in effect said that Madeleine, in his belief, had died in the apartment on the Algarve where the couple were on holiday with their family in 2007. But most importantly he accused the family of covering up her death. Now the McCann's argument is that in defaming them in that way he poisoned public opinion, particularly in Portugal, against the McCanns, and that interrupted and affected the on-going search for their daughter. They are claiming damages of 1.2 million euros about £1m.  Money which they say, if they win, will be used to continue the search for their daughter. Their own private detectives' investigation has been suspended while Scotland Yard does its investigation but they believe that at some stage they may have to re-start their own private investigation so that's where they say, the money , if they win it, during this libel trial will be used. Sky studio Charlotte Hawkins: Thank you Martin

McCann family libel trial, 12 September 2013

McCann family libel trial ITV News 12 September 2013 The mother of missing Madeleine McCann will have to face painful memories today as the start of a libel case against a former police chief begins in Portugal. Kate McCann will be accompanied by her mother for the first hearing in the case. ------------ Madeleine's grandmother 'among libel trial witnesses' Sky's crime correspondent Martin Brunt, who is in Portugal for the McCann family libel trial, says Madeleine's grandmother is among those set to give evidence: #madeleine McCann first witness at libel trial will be documentary maker Emma Loach, daughter of film director Ken Loach. -FROM @SKYMARTINBRUNT ON TWITTER: (about 2 hours ago) #madeleine Other McCann witnesses will include their private investigator Dave Edgar, solicitor Angus McBride and Kate's mum Susan Healy. -FROM @SKYMARTINBRUNT ON TWITTER: (about 2 hours ago)

Tweets from Martin Brunt (1), Sky News, 12 September 2013

Tweets from Martin Brunt, Sky News Twitter   ------- Twitter picture detail   ------------- Correction:

Isabel Duarte slanders Gonçalo Amaral, 12 September 2013

Isabel Duarte slanders Gonçalo Amaral Twitter Ms Duarte made her comment to Sky News as she made her way into the Palace of Justice on the first day of the trial. 9:33 AM - 12 Sep 13 martinbrunt ‏@skymartinbrunt #madeleine McCann lawyer Isabel Duarte tells Sky News she believes ex-cop Goncalo Amaral is hiding the profits from his book. -------------- This was retweeted by two people: Graham Wettone: Who describes himself on Twitter as having: 'Over 30 years policing experience. Police analyst for Sky news and media commentator on policing.' [Note: Of the 21 tweets made that day by Martin Brunt, this was the only one that Mr Wettone retweeted] Jerry Lawton: Chief crime reporter on the Daily Star. [Retweeted 8 of Martin Brunt's tweets in the morning, with no retweets made from the afternoon session.]

Madeleine McCann: Kate Attends Libel Hearing, 12 September 2013

Madeleine McCann: Kate Attends Libel Hearing Sky News The McCanns claim a book about their daughter's disappearance "poisoned public opinion" against them. 10:30am UK, Thursday 12 September 2013 Madeleine McCann's mother is attending a Portuguese court for the start of the family's libel action against a former police chief which could see them receive £1m in damages if they succeed. Kate McCann was accompanied by her mother Susan Healy as she arrived for the first hearing of the case against Goncalo Amaral, who published a book making allegations about the three-year-old's disappearance in 2007. The McCanns have strongly denied the accusations and say the former detective's claims have damaged the hunt for Madeleine and exacerbated the anguish suffered by her relatives. Their lawyer Isabel Duarte is expected to set out the case - on behalf of Mrs McCann, her husband Gerry and their twins Sean and Amelie, now eight - at Lisbon's civil court. Mrs McCann, who travelled to Portugal without her husband, could have been called as a witness, but is not expected to give evidence. Instead, a number of relatives will appear in the witness box. They will speak about the "damage" caused by Mr Amaral's book which, they claim, poisoned public opinion in Portugal against the family and allegedly deterred people from hunting for Madeleine. Spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: "Kate and Gerry McCann remain very confident that they will win the case. "They have a strong case against Mr Amaral. The matter is now in the hands of their lawyer as it goes through court." It is understood Mr McCann is staying at the family home in Rothley, Leicestershire, to look after the couple's children. Madeleine, who was nearly four at the time, disappeared from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in the Algarve on May 3, 2007, as her parents dined at a nearby tapas restaurant with friends. British detectives launched a fresh investigation into her disappearance in July - two years into a review of the case - and believe she could still be alive. The Portuguese investigation into Madeleine's disappearance is officially closed. The libel case will be heard today and tomorrow. It will then be adjourned until next Thursday when the court will sit again for two days. A final hearing is expected on September 27. The judgement is expected to be deferred.

Trial begins in McCanns Vs Gonçalo Amaral, 12 September 2013

Trial begins in McCanns Vs Gonçalo Amaral SIC Notícias 12.09.2013 11:32 12 September 2013 With thanks to Joana Morais for transcript/translation TV anchor: It started today the trial that opposes the McCann couple against Gonçalo Amaral. Kate McCann is present at the trial. Maddie's parents accuse the former Judiciary Police inspector of defamatory statements and guarantee that Gonçalo Amaral has harmed Madeleine's searches. The McCann family asks for 1,2 million euros of compensation, Gonçalo Amaral's assets were also seized, who published the book "A Verdade da Mentira" where statements were made regarding the disappearance of the child which the McCanns allege to have hindered the family's image and the investigations. The lawyer for the McCann family expects a speedy trial. Isabel Duarte: [at Palácio de Justiça, in Lisbon] The expectations are that the trial is done as fast as possible... what is in question are the personality rights of Kate.. of Gerry.. of Madeleine.. of Sean and of.. ah.. Amelie, breached by the book that we are going to judge here. It's an action for compensation and, and, other decisions surrounding the book... And as lawyers use to say, I hope that justice is done. [smiles and laughs] Journalist: [in situ] In that action for compensation exactly what does the McCann couple ask? Isabel Duarte: They ask for a compensation in money. Journalist: How much? Isabel Duarte: 250 thousand euros for each of the persons involved, they are five.

Screenshots from SIC Notícias video, 12 September 2013

Kate McCann and Susan Hubbard make their way into Court

Gonçalo Amaral makes his way into Court

Ex-Madeleine McCann police chief seeks to ban media from £1m libel trial, 12 September 2013

Ex-Madeleine McCann police chief seeks to ban media from £1m libel trial The Telegraph The disgraced Portuguese detective accused of hampering the search for Madeleine McCann sought to ban media from the court room as a libel case against him got underway.   By Fiona Govan, Lisbon 11:51AM BST 11 Sep 2013 Kate McCann, 45, came face to face with the former detective outside the court where she and husband Gerry, are seeking £1 million in damages for his "poisonous lies" about the fate of their daughter. Lawyers for Goncalo Amaral, 56, delayed the start of proceedings at a civil court in Lisbon with a petition to hold the hearing behind closed doors. The petition was dismissed however. Mrs McCann, who arrived in the portuguese capital late Wednesday evening accompanied by her mother, sat quietly on a bench inside the courthouse as her detractor strolled past. Neither acknowledged the other. Isabel Duarte, lawyer for the McCanns said she would fight to get Mr Amaral's petition for a closed hearing rejected. "He doesn't have a case," she told The Daily Telegraph outside court. "I am confident that we can win this point." Mrs McCann's attendance in court is understood to be against the advice of Scotland Yard detectives who are attempting to launch their own investigation in the Algarve to try to solve the six-year mystery. It is feared that her presence in Portugal will provoke a media circus and further aggravate Portuguese authorities as the Scotland Yard team seek cooperation to carry out their own inquiries on Portuguese soil. A source said: "Because of the sensitivity of the situation, police don't want the McCanns anywhere near the country because they fear it could turn into a media circus. "The Met police are worried it will create a bigger platform for Mr Amaral and his supporters to spout more bile and could damage their own inquiries in the country. "It will be bad enough having all the old allegations dragged up again and repeated. No doubt Mr Amaral will want to say his bit outside the court and it will all flare up again. It will not be helpful for the Yard." Neither Mr nor Mrs McCann from Rothley, Leicestershire, are due to give evidence in the libel trial against Mr Amaral, who headed the initial investigation into their daughter's disappearance which led to the couple being named as suspects. Instead, Dave Edgar, a private investigator hired by the family to search for Madeleine and Michael Wright, husband of Mrs McCann's cousin Anne-Marie, will tell the hearing how Mr Amaral's "poisonous lies" have nearly destroyed the family. Madeleine, who disappeared from an apartment in Praia da Luz shortly before her fourth birthday in May, 2007. The McCanns, who are both 45, were finally cleared in July 2008, when the Portuguese police investigation was shelved for lack of evidence. But the following month, Mr Amaral who was sacked from the investigation and has since left the police force, published a book accusing them of faking their daughter's abduction to cover up her death in the apartment. In 2010, they won a court battle in Lisbon to ban sales of the book entitled "The truth of the Lie", a ruling that was overturned later that year. Mr McCann, a heart specialist and Mrs McCann, a former GP, are now seeking damages for themselves and their twins, Sean and Amelie plus further damages for the harm caused to the search for Madeleine, who would now be ten years old. In a 36-page writ, first lodged in June 2009, they describe Mr Amaral as a self obsessed, manipulative money-grabber and accuse him of libel and breaching their human rights. In July Scotland Yard announced a full-scale investigation into the girl's disappearance after identifying 38 potential new suspects and said they had requested assistance from Portugal's Policia Judiciaria. A team of 37 detectives has spent the last two years examining thousands of documents, witness statements and evidence reports as part of a government funded review of the case ordered by Prime Minister David Cameron.

Tweets from Martin Brunt (2), Sky News, 12 September 2013

Tweets from Martin Brunt, Sky News Twitter

Kate McCann arrives in Portugal for £1million libel trial as she comes face to face with the detective who made unfounded claims she covered up her daughter's disappearance, 12 September 2013

Kate McCann arrives in Portugal for £1million libel trial as she comes face to face with the detective who made unfounded claims she covered up her daughter's disappearance Daily Mail Mrs McCann is attending a Portuguese court today for the start of the family's libel action against Goncalo Amaral The former police chief published a book alleging she staged her daughter Madeleine's disappearance, despite lack of evidence The McCanns were arrested and formally cleared by Portuguese police Three-year-old Madeleine went missing from a resort in the Algarve in 2007 By SOPHIE JANE EVANS PUBLISHED: 09:24, 12 September 2013 | UPDATED: 14:18, 12 September 2013 The mother of missing Madeleine McCann has arrived in Portugal ahead of a £1million libel trial to confront the former police chief who accused her of staging her daughter's disappearance, despite a lack of evidence. Kate McCann is being accompanied by her mother Susan Healy for the first hearing of the case against Goncalo Amaral, who published a book making allegations about the three-year-old's disappearance. The McCanns have strongly denied the accusations in the book, titled 'Maddie: The Truth of The Lie', which allege that Madeleine died in the holiday apartment and her parents staged a cover-up. They have been ruled out as suspects in Madeleine's disappearance after being arrested and formally cleared by Portuguese police. The couple say the former detective's claims have damaged the hunt for their daughter and exacerbated the anguish suffered by her relatives. Today, Susan Hubbard, a friend of the McCanns and the wife of the family's priest, told Lisbon's civil court that Mrs McCann had been 'devastated' by the book. Ms Hubbard, who was the first witness in the case, said the couple had been forced to put all their energy into defending themselves against the allegations, instead of searching for their missing daughter. The family's lawyer Isabel Duarte is setting out the case at the court in Portugal's capital on behalf of Mrs McCann, her husband Gerry and their twins Sean and Amelie, now eight. Mrs McCann, who has travelled to Portugal for the hearing, could have been called as a witness but is not expected to give evidence. Instead, a number of relatives are appearing in the witness box. They will give evidence relating to the 'damage' caused by Mr Amaral's book, which they claim has poisoned public opinion in Portugal against the family and allegedly deterred people from hunting for Madeleine. The family stands to gain around £1 million in damages if their legal action succeeds. Spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: 'Kate and Gerry McCann remain very confident that they will win the case. 'They have a strong case against Mr Amaral. The matter is now in the hands of their lawyer as it goes through court.' It is understood Mr McCann is not attending the hearing as he has work commitments which have prevented him from travelling to Portugal. Instead, he is staying at the family home in Rothley, Leicestershire, to look after the children. It is unclear which family members will give evidence, but Mrs McCann's cousin Michael Wright will appear in court at some point during the legal fight. Private investigator Dave Edgar, who assisted with the search for the missing child, is also part of proceedings. Mr Amaral, the detective who initially led the inquiry into Madeleine's disappearance, is expected to argue that under Portuguese law he is entitled to make the claims published in his book, which is still on sale in Portugal. The former officer was dismissed from the Portuguese investigation in October 2007 after criticising the McCann family and the British police. Madeleine, who was then aged nearly four, disappeared from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, in the Algarve, on May 3, 2007, as her parents dined at a nearby tapas restaurant with friends. British detectives launched a fresh investigation into her disappearance in July - two years into a review of the case - and believe she could still be alive. However, the Portuguese investigation into Madeline's disappearance is officially closed. The libel case will be heard today and Friday. It will then be adjourned until next Thursday when the court will sit again for two days, with a final hearing expected on Friday, September 27. TIMELINE OF THE INVESTIGATION INTO MADELEINE'S DISAPPEARANCE May 3, 2007 Kate and Gerry McCann leave their daughter Madeleine and her two-year-old twin brother and sister Sean and Amelie in bed in their apartment and head for dinner at a nearby tapas restaurant. 9pm The couple check on them regularly and at around 9pm, Mr McCann finds nothing amiss when he returns to their room in the seaside resort at the Ocean Club in Praia Da Luz. 10pm Mrs McCann goes to check on them again and finds the shutter slid up, the bedroom window open and Madeleine gone. May 4 The police begin hunting for Maddie. May 15 Robert Murat is officially named a suspect by police in Portugal. June 17 Portuguese police say Madeleine's friends and family may have destroyed vital evidence in the first few hours after her abduction. September 7 Detectives make Mr and Mrs McCann 'arguidos' in their daughter's disappearance. April 7, 2008 Three Portuguese detectives fly to Britain to re-interview the seven friends on holiday with the McCanns when Madeleine vanished. July 17 Mr Murat receives £600,000 in libel damages from four newspaper groups over 'seriously defamatory' articles connecting him with the child's disappearance. July 21 The Portuguese authorities shelve their investigation and lift the 'arguido' status of the McCanns and Mr Murat. ------------------- Update: Friend tells £1million libel trial that the parents of Madeleine McCann were 'devastated' by unfounded claims made in Portuguese detective's book about the case Daily Mail Mrs McCann is attending a Portuguese court today for the start of the family's libel action against Goncalo Amaral The former police chief published a book alleging she staged her daughter Madeleine's disappearance, despite lack of evidence The McCanns were arrested and formally cleared by Portuguese police Three-year-old Madeleine went missing from a resort in the Algarve in 2007 By SOPHIE JANE EVANS PUBLISHED: 09:24, 12 September 2013 | UPDATED: 15:44, 12 September 2013 A friend of missing Madeleine McCann's family today told a £1million libel trial in Portugal that the girl's parents were 'devastated' by claims made in a book by the former police chief who accused her of staging her daughter's disappearance, despite a lack of evidence. Kate McCann arrived in the country today, accompanied by her mother Susan Healy for the first hearing of the case against Goncalo Amaral, who published a book making allegations about the three-year-old's disappearance. The McCanns have strongly denied the accusations in the book, titled 'Maddie: The Truth of The Lie', which allege that Madeleine died in the holiday apartment and her parents staged a cover-up. They have been ruled out as suspects in Madeleine's disappearance after being arrested and formally cleared by Portuguese police. The couple say the former detective's claims have damaged the hunt for their daughter and exacerbated the anguish suffered by her relatives. Today, Susan Hubbard, a friend of the McCanns and the wife of the family's priest, told Lisbon's civil court that Mrs McCann had been 'devastated' by the book. Ms Hubbard, who was the first witness in the case, said the couple had been forced to put all their energy into defending themselves against the allegations, instead of searching for their missing daughter. The family's lawyer Isabel Duarte is setting out the case at the court in Portugal's capital on behalf of Mrs McCann, her husband Gerry and their twins Sean and Amelie, now eight. Mrs McCann, who has travelled to Portugal for the hearing, could have been called as a witness but is not expected to give evidence. Instead, a number of relatives are appearing in the witness box. (...) Article continues as previously -------------------- Further update: Kate McCann weeps at first day of £1million libel trial as friend tells Portuguese court that the family were 'devastated' by unfounded claims in police chief's book Daily Mail Mrs McCann is attending a Portuguese court today for the start of the family's libel action against Goncalo Amaral The former police chief published a book alleging she staged her daughter Madeleine's disappearance, despite lack of evidence The McCanns were arrested and formally cleared by Portuguese police Three-year-old Madeleine went missing from a resort in the Algarve in 2007 By SOPHIE JANE EVANS PUBLISHED: 09:24, 12 September 2013 | UPDATED: 18:23, 12 September 2013 A friend of missing Madeleine McCann's family today told a £1million libel trial in Portugal that the girl's parents were 'devastated' by claims made in a book by the former police chief who accused her of staging her daughter's disappearance, despite a lack of evidence. Kate McCann arrived in the country today, accompanied by her mother Susan Healy for the first hearing of the case against Goncalo Amaral, who published a book making allegations about the three-year-old's disappearance. The McCanns have strongly denied the accusations in the book, titled 'Maddie: The Truth of The Lie', which allege that Madeleine died in the holiday apartment and her parents staged a cover-up. They have been ruled out as suspects in Madeleine's disappearance after being arrested and formally cleared by Portuguese police. The couple say the former detective's claims have damaged the hunt for their daughter and exacerbated the anguish suffered by her relatives. Today, Susan Hubbard, a friend of the McCanns and the wife of the family's priest, told Lisbon's civil court that Mrs McCann had been 'devastated' by the book. Ms Hubbard, who was the first witness in the case, said the couple had been forced to put all their energy into defending themselves against the allegations, instead of searching for their missing daughter. Mrs McCann wiped tears from her eyes as the court was told how she broke down and wept when Madeleine disappeared. The family's lawyer Isabel Duarte is setting out the case at the court in Portugal's capital on behalf of Mrs McCann, her husband Gerry and their twins Sean and Amelie, now eight. Mrs McCann, who has travelled to Portugal for the hearing, could have been called as a witness but is not expected to give evidence. Instead, a number of relatives are appearing in the witness box. (...) Article continues as previously

Tweets from Martin Brunt (3), Sky News, 12 September 2013

Tweets from Martin Brunt, Sky News Twitter

The press gather in anticipation of the statement from Kate McCann, 12 September 2013

The press await the arrival of Kate McCann outside the Palace of Justice. Photo: Anne Guedes

The press await the arrival of Kate McCann outside the Palace of Justice. Photo: Anne Guedes

Kate McCann speaks to the press outside the court house in Lisbon, 12 September 2013

Kate McCann speaks to the press outside the court house in Lisbon Daily Motion 12 September 2013 Transcript By Nigel Moore Kate McCann: I'm here today for Madeleine and obviously I strongly hope for justice. I'm here to stop the damage that has been caused, and is still being caused, both directly and indirectly to the search for our daughter, and to stop the... the d... the suffering that's been caused to our family, and will carry on being caused to our family, if the theories of Goncalo Amaral and his book and documentary go unchallenged. And that's why I'm here. Reporter: Kate... Kate McCann: So, thank you. No questions.

Kate McCann speaks to the press outside the court house in Lisbon, 12 September 2013

"I am here for Maddie and for the damage the book caused", 12 September 2013

"I am here for Maddie and for the damage the book caused" Diário de Notícias Luís Fontes 12 Sept 2013 With thanks to Ines for translation Kate McCann leaving the Lisbon court today The McCanns are requesting one million and 250 thousand euros in compensation from the former coordinator of the Portimão PJ and author of the book "A Verdade da Mentira", which was used as the basis for the documentary shown on TVI. "I am here for Madeleine and for the damage caused by the documentary and the book," Kate McCann stated today upon leaving the session in the Palace of Justice, in Lisbon, of the trial brought by the McCann couple against Gonçalo Amaral, the PJ officer who investigated Madeleine's disappearance in 2007. The trial, which has been postponed twice, was suspended upon the request of the English couple's lawyer in an attempt to reach an out of court settlement between the parties. Something which never happened.

Maddie case: Former inspector's trial starts with questioning of McCanns' witnesses, 12 September 2013

Maddie case: Former inspector's trial starts with questioning of McCanns' witnesses Região Sul 20:09 Thursday, 12 September 2013 With thanks to Astro for translation Three witnesses that were indicated by the McCann couple were heard today at the beginning of the civil process trial, over defamation, of former Judiciary Police inspector Gonçalo Amaral, after a case was filed by the parents of the English child that disappeared in the Algarve, in 2007. This information was given to Lusa agency by Isabel Duarte, Madeleine McCann's parents' lawyer, on the first day of the trial when judge Maria Emília Melo e Castro determined that there were no reasons for the audience to take place behind closed doors, as requested by Gonçalo Amaral, who attended the Civil Court of Lisbon as an arguido. Earlier, the parties failed to reach an extrajudicial agreement within the civil case, in which Madeleine McCann's parents requested compensation in the amount of 1.2 million euro over the alleged defamation by the former PJ inspector (who investigated the child's disappearance). The trial started with the questioning of three witnesses - a Canadian and two Englishmen - who are "friends" of the McCann couple. During this first session, the judge had to adapt the trial to the new rules of the Civil Process Code, a legislative reform that entered into force on the 1st of September. The trial continues on Friday with the questioning of five more witnesses that were indicated by Madeleine's parents, three of them being relatives of the McCann couple. In statements to Lusa, Isabel Duarte said that since the beginning, the McCann couple was open to reach an extrajudicial agreement with Gonçalo Amaral, but it was not possible to reach an agreement with the arguido. Nonetheless, she stressed that the McCann couple's main goal was that the investigation into the child's disappearance was restarted, which, according to her, has already happened, without adding any further details or leads. In a related process, the Civil Court of Lisbon decided, in January of 2010, to keep the prohibition of the sale of the book "Maddie: The Truth of the Lie", authored by Gonçalo Amaral, and of the video with the same title, based on a documentary that was broadcast by TVI. The ban of the book and the video, which presents Gonçalo Amaral's thesis on the involvement of Kate and Gerry McCann in the disappearance of their daughter by concealing the cadaver, had been provisionally ordered on the 9th of September of 2009. On the 19th of October of 2010, the Appellate Court of Lisbon annulled the decision of the Civil Court, after which the McCann couple appealed to the Supreme Court of Justice. In a ruling dated March 18, 2011, the Supreme Court confirmed the Appellate Court's decision. Madeleine McCann disappeared on the 3rd of May of 2007, in an apartment in a holiday resort in Praia da Luz, in the Algarve, where she was spending a vacation with her parents and her twin siblings. At that time, Gonçalo Amaral was the coordinator of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Judiciary Police in Portimão. Kate and Gerry McCann, who have always stated that the child was abducted, were made arguidos in September, 2007. The investigation was archived due to a lack of evidence in July of 2008, although the Public Ministry admits reopening it if new data concerning the child's disappearance surfaces.

Continue to McCanns v. Gonçalo Amaral: Libel Trial - Two