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Branson fund for McCanns' lawyers Branson fund for McCanns' lawyers
(10 minutes later)
Sir Richard Branson has started a fund to assist Kate and Gerry McCann with their legal costs, the BBC understands.Sir Richard Branson has started a fund to assist Kate and Gerry McCann with their legal costs, the BBC understands.
Sources close to the businessman say he wants to help the couple get the "best legal resources possible".Sources close to the businessman say he wants to help the couple get the "best legal resources possible".
They are being advised by Michael Caplan QC, who successfully fought efforts to extradite General Pinochet.They are being advised by Michael Caplan QC, who successfully fought efforts to extradite General Pinochet.
The McCanns have been named suspects in the disappearance of their four-year-old daughter Madeleine from a Portuguese resort on 3 May.The McCanns have been named suspects in the disappearance of their four-year-old daughter Madeleine from a Portuguese resort on 3 May.
Sir Richard's supportSir Richard's support
The couple do not have a wealth of resources to fund what is expected to be an expensive legal campaign.The couple do not have a wealth of resources to fund what is expected to be an expensive legal campaign.
Mr McCann is on paid leave as a doctor, and his wife has confirmed she does not yet plan to return to work as a locum doctor.Mr McCann is on paid leave as a doctor, and his wife has confirmed she does not yet plan to return to work as a locum doctor.
This fund's money will be focused on finding that little girl and leaving no stone unturned Fund statement in full
They have said they will not use any of the £1m "Find Madeleine" fund to finance their legal costs.They have said they will not use any of the £1m "Find Madeleine" fund to finance their legal costs.
Sir Richard has kept in touch with the couple since Madeleine disappeared from their holiday apartment.Sir Richard has kept in touch with the couple since Madeleine disappeared from their holiday apartment.
His Virgin Group companies have helped the McCanns over the last four months.His Virgin Group companies have helped the McCanns over the last four months.
Virgin Atlantic flew Gerry McCann out to the US to talk to child abduction experts, and Virgin Mobile sent texts to their customers in Spain and Portugal asking them to keep looking for Madeleine, shortly after she disappeared.Virgin Atlantic flew Gerry McCann out to the US to talk to child abduction experts, and Virgin Mobile sent texts to their customers in Spain and Portugal asking them to keep looking for Madeleine, shortly after she disappeared.
The source would not confirm Sir Richard's donation amounted to £100,000, a figure quoted by some newspapers, but said other businessmen are also involved in the fund.The source would not confirm Sir Richard's donation amounted to £100,000, a figure quoted by some newspapers, but said other businessmen are also involved in the fund.
New campaignNew campaign
The help with legal costs comes a day after the McCanns announced another advertising campaign to publicise the disappearance of their daughter.The help with legal costs comes a day after the McCanns announced another advertising campaign to publicise the disappearance of their daughter.
Up to £80,000 from donations to the Madeleine Fund will be used for newspaper, television and billboard adverts beginning in a fortnight.Up to £80,000 from donations to the Madeleine Fund will be used for newspaper, television and billboard adverts beginning in a fortnight.
The support from Sir Richard also coincides with the decision by life-long friends of Kate McCann to publicly defend her reputation as a mother.The support from Sir Richard also coincides with the decision by life-long friends of Kate McCann to publicly defend her reputation as a mother.
Linda McQueen and Nicky Gill, who have known Kate McCann since childhood, gave an interview saying Kate and her husband Gerry were "the most loving, family-oriented couple".Linda McQueen and Nicky Gill, who have known Kate McCann since childhood, gave an interview saying Kate and her husband Gerry were "the most loving, family-oriented couple".
Meanwhile, the McCanns attended Sunday mass at their local church in Rothley, Leicestershire, for the first time since returning from Portugal on 9 September.Meanwhile, the McCanns attended Sunday mass at their local church in Rothley, Leicestershire, for the first time since returning from Portugal on 9 September.