I trust McCanns. says Sir Richard

Sir Richard, who has spoken to the parents of missing Madeleine McCann on several occasions, said: "I wouldn't have got involved if I didn't feel good about them. I trust them implicitly and I can't think of anyone I know who's had a worse time."

Explaining his decision, the entrepreneur and social campaigner, said: "I think they need proper representation and support."

He added: "I want to make sure they have the chance for their side of the story to be fairly told if they ever go to court, particularly in Portugal where they've already been tried by innuendo in the media.

"It's going to be tough for them to get a fair trial and they need all the help they can get."

Sir Richard confirmed he was in talks with other wealthy people to encourage them to contribute to a legal fund as well, and said at least one other anonymous donor was signed up already.

"I'm speaking to several people and hopefully there'll be others helping with the legal costs," he said. "One or two have already committed on an off-the-record basis."

Meanwhile, Kate McCann could be reinterviewed this week by British police acting on behalf of the Portuguese authorities, fresh reports suggest.

Kate and Gerry McCann's lawyers issued a statement saying they had received no request for new questioning "to date".

But for a third day, Portuguese newspapers reported that police and prosecutors in the Algarve planned to ask their British counterparts to quiz Mrs McCann for them.