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McCann police libel trial delayed McCann 'book ban' trial delayed
(about 2 hours later)
The libel action brought by Madeleine McCann's parents against a Portuguese detective who published a book claiming the girl is dead has been postponed. An attempt to overturn the banning of a controversial book claiming Madeleine McCann is dead has been postponed.
It was delayed after defendant Goncalo Amaral's lawyer did not turn up at the hearing's opening on Friday for health reasons, a court clerk said. It was delayed after the lawyer for the book's author did not turn up on Friday for health reasons, a court clerk said.
Kate and Gerry McCann had flown to Lisbon for the opening of the case. A Portuguese judge granted an injunction banning the book, The Truth Of The Lie by Portuguese former policeman Goncalo Amaral, in September.
Madeleine, of Rothley, Leicestershire, was three when she went missing from an Algarve holiday flat on 3 May 2007.Madeleine, of Rothley, Leicestershire, was three when she went missing from an Algarve holiday flat on 3 May 2007.
In his book, The Truth Of The Lie, Goncalo Amaral questioned the McCanns' account that Madeleine was taken while they were eating with friends.
The McCanns claim the book defames them by questioning their version of events, and are seeking £1.2m in damages.
Despite a major police investigation and global publicity, the girl has not been found.Despite a major police investigation and global publicity, the girl has not been found.
Mr Amaral had been involved in the initial investigation but was later taken off the case.Mr Amaral had been involved in the initial investigation but was later taken off the case.
In his book, Mr Amaral questioned the McCanns' account that Madeleine was taken while they were eating with friends.
The court will take its own view of his activities Clarence MitchellMcCann spokesmanThe court will take its own view of his activities Clarence MitchellMcCann spokesman
A Portuguese judge granted an injunction banning the further sale or publication of the book in September, after a year-long legal campaign to prevent the publication of the book and a subsequent DVD. A Portuguese judge granted an injunction banning the further sale or publication of the book in September, after a year-long legal campaign to prevent publication of the book and a subsequent DVD.
And Mr Amaral was banned from repeating his claims about Madeleine or her parents. Mr Amaral was banned from repeating his claims about Madeleine or her parents.
Kate and Gerry McCann have previously said any money awarded in damages by the courts would be used to pay for private investigators to look into their daughter's disappearance. 'Regrettable'
The start of the case was due to coincide with the launch of Mr Amaral's second book, A Mordaca Inglesa (The English Gag). The author, his publisher and the producer and broadcaster of his documentary are opposing the injunction.
Mr Amaral argues the injunction is a restriction on freedom of speech and everything in the book is based on case files, which are already in the public domain.
Kate and Gerry McCann had flown to Lisbon for the opening of the case, which was due to coincide with the launch of Mr Amaral's second book, A Mordaça Inglesa (The English Gag).
Clarence Mitchell, the McCanns' spokesman, had previously said it was "regrettable" the policeman decided to launch the book on the same day as the hearing was scheduled to start.Clarence Mitchell, the McCanns' spokesman, had previously said it was "regrettable" the policeman decided to launch the book on the same day as the hearing was scheduled to start.
"Most people would expect him to concentrate on the trial rather than launching any new book and the court will take its own view of his activities," he said."Most people would expect him to concentrate on the trial rather than launching any new book and the court will take its own view of his activities," he said.
The McCanns' Portuguese lawyer has confirmed the couple are also continuing their main action against Mr Amaral.
They claim the book defames them by questioning their version of events, and are seeking 1.2m euros (£1.08m) in damages.
But Mr Amaral, who led the inquiry into Madeleine's disappearance but was removed from the case in October 2007, told Portuguese TV he would counter-sue the couple.