Madeleine McCann's parents will fly to Portugal today for the start of a libel trial against former Portuguese policeman Goncalo Amaral.

Kate and Gerry McCann are planning to attend the opening of the trial in Lisbon on Friday.

Their spokesman, Clarence Mitchell, said: ‘I can confirm that Kate and Gerry McCann will be travelling to Portugal on Thursday to attend the opening of the defamation case against Goncalo Amaral in Lisbon on Friday morning.

Kate and Gerry McCann are flying to Portugal tomorrow for the opening of the trial

‘They only intend to appear at the opening and I would expect that they will return to the UK fairly swiftly.’

Madeleine was nearly four when she went missing from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in Portugal on May 3, 2007, while her parents dined with friends nearby.
 

Despite a massive police investigation and huge publicity worldwide, Madeleine would now be aged six, has not been found.

Mr Amaral was involved in the initial investigation to find Madeleine but was later taken off the case.

Madeleine McCann: Before she went missing in 2007 aged three and, right, a digital image of how she would potentially look today, aged six

In his book, The Truth Of The Lie, he claimed Madeleine was dead and questioned the McCanns' account that she was taken while they were eating with friends.

In September a Portuguese judge granted an injunction banning further sale or publication of the book.

It also banned Mr Amaral from repeating his claims about Madeleine or her parents.

The injunction came after a year-long campaign by the McCanns' lawyers to prevent the publication of the book and a subsequent DVD.

Speaking after it was granted, Gerry McCann said false allegations had done immense damage to the search for their daughter because Portuguese people would be dissuaded from coming forward with information.

Libel trial: Goncalo Amaral was involved in the initial search for Madeleine

At the time he said: ‘There's a lot of people in Portugal, who might have evidence, that believe Madeleine is dead.

‘If people believe that, they won't search for her and they won't come forward with information.

‘I know for a fact people have been told Madeleine is dead. There is no evidence to support that and that is unforgivable.’

At one point Portuguese police made Mr and Mrs McCann, from Rothley, Leicester, 'arguidos', or formal suspects, in their daughter's disappearance.

They were questioned by detectives but their status was later lifted. Since then they have continued to campaign to find their daughter.

Gerry McCann said 'I know for a fact people have been told Madeleine is dead. There is no evidence to support that and that is unforgivable.'
-----------
But by the same token there is no evidence she is alive! How can they sue a policeman for having an opinion, it is beyond me.

- Chris, Yorkshire, 10/12/2009 13:05

Click to rate     Rating   115

Report abuse

Don't see how this case of libel can stand? Can the judge prove that what Amarai says isn't true?

- Lizzie, Leeds, 10/12/2009 12:32

Click to rate     Rating   105

Report abuse

It wasn't the policeman who left two and three year children alone.

- Not distracted from the real issues, UK, 10/12/2009 12:01

Click to rate     Rating   114

Report abuse

As a grown up, I would like to be able to read this book and form my own opinion.

- Elle, Leicestershire, 10/12/2009 11:27

Click to rate     Rating   110

Report abuse

This whole investigation surrounding Madeleine's disappearance has to me been a complete shambles right from the start, and not just because of Amaral. It is always good to have some publicity when someone, especially a young child goes missing. However, too much publicity can have an edverse effect, hence all the wild and various sightings of Madeleine around the globe.

It's shuch a shame that the investigaton was not restarted with a fresh team of 'proper' police officers. Perhaps then we may have found out exactly what has happened to poor little Madeleine.

- Pip, United Kingdom, 10/12/2009 11:24

Click to rate     Rating   48

Report abuse

It's a shame the McCann's have had to return to Portugal. They are the object of resentment, and are being blamed for the slump in the Family Holiday business.

- Frank, UK, 10/12/2009 11:15

Click to rate     Rating   71

Report abuse

I don't wish to comment on this story in case I get sued, suffice to say just check out Facebook on the subject.

- David Krantz, Toytown, England, 10/12/2009 10:38

Click to rate     Rating   58

Report abuse

I am so sorry for this family, this is the worst nightmare come true that can possibly happen to anyone. We can see from the photo the toll that all the pain and suffering as taken on Mrs McCann. I do hope that somehow the truth wil be known someday.

- Paula, Lisbon, 10/12/2009 10:33

Click to rate     Rating   68

Report abuse

This is NOT the launch of the McCanns libel action against Goncalo Amaral. It is a hearing at which Goncalo Amaral, through his solicitor, will present his opposition to the interim decision - made by a judge, in September - to seize his assets and prevent him from speaking publicly about 'his' thesis.

The libel action, in which the McCanns are demanding over 1 million euros, will not take place until next year.

They are two separate events.

Clarence Mitchell has, not for the first time, given a completely misleading and wholly untrue quote in this article.

- Nigel Moore, UK, 9/12/2009 23:13

Click to rate     Rating   86

Report abuse

I for one cannot see why the policeman is on trial. He hasn't committed a crime or caused a child to disappear.

- MaryM, Manchester, 9/12/2009 22:24

NEWS DECEMBER 2009