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Madeleine McCann's parents to speak at libel trial Madeleine McCann's parents 'distressed' by libel trial delay
(about 3 hours later)
Kate and Gerry McCann have arrived at a Portuguese court where they are due to describe how accusations in a former police chief's book have affected them. Kate and Gerry McCann have criticised the former Portuguese police chief who led the search for their daughter for delaying a libel action against him.
The couple will be speaking at the trial of Goncalo Amaral, whom they are suing for libel over claims he made about their daughter's disappearance. The couple said the 10-day adjournment of his trial was exasperating and caused them "pain and distress".
They had been due to explain in court how accusations by the officer, Goncalo Amaral, in a book damaged the search.
The couple said there was a "good chance" that Madeleine, who vanished in 2007, aged three, was still alive.
The McCanns say Mr Amaral's book discouraged people from coming forward with information after Madeleine disappeared.
They say claims they hid Madeleine's body and faked an abduction after she died in an accident damaged the search for her and exacerbated their anguish.They say claims they hid Madeleine's body and faked an abduction after she died in an accident damaged the search for her and exacerbated their anguish.
Madeleine vanished in 2007, aged three.
The McCanns say Mr Amaral's book discouraged people from coming forward with information.
Police recently spent 10 days searching the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz where Madeleine was last seen alive.Police recently spent 10 days searching the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz where Madeleine was last seen alive.
'Purgatory''Purgatory'
Mr and Mrs McCann were originally told they could not make statements at the long-running trial but the decision was overturned after an appeal by their lawyer.Mr and Mrs McCann were originally told they could not make statements at the long-running trial but the decision was overturned after an appeal by their lawyer.
They are expected to deliver emotional statements at Lisbon's Palace of Justice, describing how the claims by Mr Amaral caused them unnecessary grief.They are expected to deliver emotional statements at Lisbon's Palace of Justice, describing how the claims by Mr Amaral caused them unnecessary grief.
Their appearance will mark the end of the trial but a final ruling in the case is not expected until later this year.Their appearance will mark the end of the trial but a final ruling in the case is not expected until later this year.
In October last year, Mr McCann's sister, Trish Cameron, told the libel trial that the couple's pain over their daughter's disappearance was "multiplied 100 times" by the book.In October last year, Mr McCann's sister, Trish Cameron, told the libel trial that the couple's pain over their daughter's disappearance was "multiplied 100 times" by the book.
She added they had been left in "purgatory" by the disappearance of Madeleine and claims that they were somehow involved.She added they had been left in "purgatory" by the disappearance of Madeleine and claims that they were somehow involved.
If the case against Mr Amaral succeeds, the family could be awarded a substantial amount in damages.If the case against Mr Amaral succeeds, the family could be awarded a substantial amount in damages.