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The couple are furious at the slurs |
Kate and Gerry McCann's lawyer has attacked sections of the
media for levelling 'inhumane' slurs against the couple.
Carlos Pinto de Abreu spoke after the pair confirmed they
are suing a Portuguese newspaper which claimed they killed
Madeleine.
The statement said: "To be deprived of a daughter and to not
know what has happened to her, or where and in what
condition she might be, to not know if she might be
suffering or if she is being hurt is probably the most
terrible trial that could happen to anyone.
"Obviously, this is not something that often happens, but it
did happen to
Kate Healy and
Gerry McCann.
"In addition to the
police investigations already underway,
institutions in particular and society in general should,
not only raise their voices against kidnappings and
disappearances, but should also show solidarity with the
victims and their families.
"The
press has engaged in a horrific exercise in scandal
mongering, replete with rumours and lurid commentaries which
are all aimed at one thing: to sell more TV time and
newspaper space to advertisers.
"Fortunately so far only a few character assassinating,
tabloid-style outlets have gone beyond the limits of
decency. Enough!
"It is people's dignity which is being questioned, and it is
their image which is being dragged through the dirt.
"What has been happening is not legitimate and, above all,
is inhumane."
The report which prompted the libel action was published in
Tal & Qual, which published a headline saying "The police
believe the parents killed Maddie".
It reported that the
Policia Judiciaria
thought the couple
caused the four-year-old's death, either in an accident or
with a fatal dose of a drug.
Police insist they are not suspects.
Madeleine vanished from the family's holiday
apartment
in
Portugal on May 3. |
