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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| McCanns welcome papers' apology | McCanns welcome papers' apology |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Madeleine McCann's parents have welcomed a libel settlement which led to an apology by Express Newspapers over reports of her disappearance. | Madeleine McCann's parents have welcomed a libel settlement which led to an apology by Express Newspapers over reports of her disappearance. |
| In a statement the McCanns said they were pleased that the newspaper group had admitted the "utter falsity" of the numerous stories written about them. | In a statement the McCanns said they were pleased that the newspaper group had admitted the "utter falsity" of the numerous stories written about them. |
| The newspaper group has paid £550,000 to the Find Madeleine campaign. | The newspaper group has paid £550,000 to the Find Madeleine campaign. |
| It said it had been wrong to suggest the couple, of Rothley, Leicestershire, were responsible for Madeleine's death. | |
| Madeleine disappeared, days before her fourth birthday, during a family holiday in the resort of Praia da Luz, in the Algarve, on 3 May last year. | Madeleine disappeared, days before her fourth birthday, during a family holiday in the resort of Praia da Luz, in the Algarve, on 3 May last year. |
| Her parents, Kate and Gerry, have been named as suspects in the case by Portuguese police but have always denied any involvement. | Her parents, Kate and Gerry, have been named as suspects in the case by Portuguese police but have always denied any involvement. |
| We are pleased that Express Newspapers have today admitted the utter falsity of the numerous grotesque and grossly defamatory allegations that their titles published McCann statement | We are pleased that Express Newspapers have today admitted the utter falsity of the numerous grotesque and grossly defamatory allegations that their titles published McCann statement |
| The McCanns were not at London's High Court for the settlement of their action against Express Newspapers on Wednesday. | |
| However, their spokesman, Clarence Mitchell, read a statement on their behalf outside the court. | |
| It stated: "We are pleased that Express Newspapers have today admitted the utter falsity of the numerous grotesque and grossly defamatory allegations that their titles published about us on a sustained basis over many months. | It stated: "We are pleased that Express Newspapers have today admitted the utter falsity of the numerous grotesque and grossly defamatory allegations that their titles published about us on a sustained basis over many months. |
| "The exceptional publication of these apologies, together with today's statement of full apology in open court before Mr Justice Eady, was the only just and proper response by Express Newspapers following our complaint." | "The exceptional publication of these apologies, together with today's statement of full apology in open court before Mr Justice Eady, was the only just and proper response by Express Newspapers following our complaint." |
| The couple's representatives said that from the late summer of 2007 until February this year, the Daily Express, the Sunday Express, the Daily Star and the Daily Star Sunday published more than 100 articles which were seriously defamatory of the couple. | The couple's representatives said that from the late summer of 2007 until February this year, the Daily Express, the Sunday Express, the Daily Star and the Daily Star Sunday published more than 100 articles which were seriously defamatory of the couple. |
| Madeleine McCann went missing in Portugal in May 2007 | Madeleine McCann went missing in Portugal in May 2007 |
| Wednesday's editions of the Daily Express and Daily Star both carry front-page apologies under the headline, "Kate and Gerry McCann: Sorry". | Wednesday's editions of the Daily Express and Daily Star both carry front-page apologies under the headline, "Kate and Gerry McCann: Sorry". |
| The Express said it accepted that a "number of articles in the newspaper have suggested that the couple caused the death of their missing daughter Madeleine and then covered it up". | The Express said it accepted that a "number of articles in the newspaper have suggested that the couple caused the death of their missing daughter Madeleine and then covered it up". |
| It also acknowledged there was "no evidence whatsoever" to support that theory. | It also acknowledged there was "no evidence whatsoever" to support that theory. |
| The paper added that Mr and Mrs McCann are "completely innocent of any involvement in their daughter's disappearance". | The paper added that Mr and Mrs McCann are "completely innocent of any involvement in their daughter's disappearance". |
| A similarly worded statement appears in the Daily Star. | A similarly worded statement appears in the Daily Star. |
| The Star said it was making a "wholehearted apology to Kate and Gerry McCann for stories suggesting the couple were responsible for, or may be responsible for, the death of their daughter Madeleine and for covering it up". | The Star said it was making a "wholehearted apology to Kate and Gerry McCann for stories suggesting the couple were responsible for, or may be responsible for, the death of their daughter Madeleine and for covering it up". |