THE Portuguese detective who was thrown off the Madeleine McCann case has made a ­fortune spouting lies about the missing girl’s parents.

Gonçalo Amaral has been paid at least £320,000 for a book and DVD ­peddling claims that Kate and Gerry McCann ­covered up Madeleine’s death in their holiday apartment.

The McCanns are suing Amaral for at least £1million for libel and breaching their human rights.

Their case against him was due to be heard in Lisbon last week but was ­postponed when he split from his legal team.

Amaral was booted off the police investigation following the disappearance of the three-year-old in 2007 after five months in charge.

His book – The Truth About The Lie – became a bestseller in Portugal, even though the country’s top legal officials insist there is no evidence to back up his accusations.

Amaral is believed to have made £1million from information about the case.

A legal source close to the ­McCanns said: “Amaral made an astonishing amount of money from his ­campaign to discredit the ­McCanns.

“I don’t know how he sleeps at night, knowing he cashed in on the tragic story of a young girl’s disappearance.”

Lawyers for the couple are expected to present proof of some of the ex-detective’s ­earnings when the case is heard.

They will show Amaral ­received at least £287,000 from the ­book publishers and £33,600 for a DVD.