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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| McCanns get millionaire's support | McCanns get millionaire's support |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| A millionaire businessman says he is giving Madeleine McCann's parents financial support to help them fight the "incredible accusations" they face. | A millionaire businessman says he is giving Madeleine McCann's parents financial support to help them fight the "incredible accusations" they face. |
| Cheshire-based Brian Kennedy, who owns Sale Sharks rugby club, said he "felt compelled" to help the couple. | Cheshire-based Brian Kennedy, who owns Sale Sharks rugby club, said he "felt compelled" to help the couple. |
| He said he was providing Kate and Gerry McCann, of Rothley, Leics, with financial and logistical support, including his in-house lawyer. | |
| The McCanns are formal suspects in the inquiry into Madeleine's disappearance. | The McCanns are formal suspects in the inquiry into Madeleine's disappearance. |
| Madeleine was last seen in Praia da Luz, in Algarve, Portugal on 3 May - days before her fourth birthday. | Madeleine was last seen in Praia da Luz, in Algarve, Portugal on 3 May - days before her fourth birthday. |
| Her parents insist she was abducted while they ate at a nearby tapas bar with friends. | Her parents insist she was abducted while they ate at a nearby tapas bar with friends. |
| 'Relieving pressure' | 'Relieving pressure' |
| In a statement, Mr Kennedy, who owns the Latium Group, said: "In light of the quite literally incredible accusations against Gerry and Kate McCann, which are clearly exacerbating their emotional torture, I felt compelled to offer... financial support and the full logistical support of the Latium team." | In a statement, Mr Kennedy, who owns the Latium Group, said: "In light of the quite literally incredible accusations against Gerry and Kate McCann, which are clearly exacerbating their emotional torture, I felt compelled to offer... financial support and the full logistical support of the Latium team." |
| Madeleine has not been seen since 3 May | Madeleine has not been seen since 3 May |
| He said the offer of help from his company's in-house lawyer, Ed Smethurst, would "relieve the McCanns of the daily pressure of co-ordinating the legal teams". | He said the offer of help from his company's in-house lawyer, Ed Smethurst, would "relieve the McCanns of the daily pressure of co-ordinating the legal teams". |
| Mr Kennedy, who was born in Edinburgh, is estimated to be worth around £250m. | Mr Kennedy, who was born in Edinburgh, is estimated to be worth around £250m. |
| He made his money in double-glazing and home improvement ventures with companies including Weatherseal Holdings, Everest windows and Space Kitchens & Bedrooms. | He made his money in double-glazing and home improvement ventures with companies including Weatherseal Holdings, Everest windows and Space Kitchens & Bedrooms. |
| His Latium Group business empire, which has an annual turnover of around £400m, includes firms dealing in plastics, conservatory-roofing, glass processing, and home improvement retailing. | His Latium Group business empire, which has an annual turnover of around £400m, includes firms dealing in plastics, conservatory-roofing, glass processing, and home improvement retailing. |
| He previously owned Stockport County Football Club before buying Sale Sharks in 1999. | He previously owned Stockport County Football Club before buying Sale Sharks in 1999. |
| Unpaid leave | Unpaid leave |
| Mr Kennedy is not the first tycoon to offer his support to the McCanns. | Mr Kennedy is not the first tycoon to offer his support to the McCanns. |
| Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson confirmed earlier this month that he was giving £100,000 to a fund to assist with their legal bills. | Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson confirmed earlier this month that he was giving £100,000 to a fund to assist with their legal bills. |
| Mr McCann, a consultant cardiologist, is on unpaid leave and his wife has confirmed she does not yet plan to return to work as a locum doctor. | Mr McCann, a consultant cardiologist, is on unpaid leave and his wife has confirmed she does not yet plan to return to work as a locum doctor. |
| The McCanns have said they will not use any of the £1m "Find Madeleine" fund to finance their legal costs. | The McCanns have said they will not use any of the £1m "Find Madeleine" fund to finance their legal costs. |