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McCanns attack police after they were forced into 'begging' for help to find Madeleine
Kiran Randhawa19 Feb 2010
Kate and Gerry McCann today launched a furious tirade at the Portuguese police for failing to investigate new leads in their daughter Madeleine's disappearance.
In one of their most outspoken attacks on the force so far, the couple say they have been forced into “begging” for help in the search for the missing girl.
They attacked former Portuguese detective Gonçalo Amaral for his “slanderous” motives in “trying to convince the world that Madeleine is dead”.
Yesterday the former policeman failed to overturn a ban on his book, Maddie: The Truth Of The Lie, that alleges Madeleine died in the couple's holiday apartment and that they faked her abduction.
Mr McCann said: “You would hope that the parents of a missing child shouldn't have to be here begging for such assistance and that the authorities would actually do everything in their power in the first place.”
The couple, both 41 and from Rothley, Leicestershire, have employed a series of private detectives to search for their daughter since she went missing from Praia da Luz in southern Portugal in May 2007, shortly before her fourth birthday.
They said there were cases where their investigators had passed leads on to the Portuguese authorities and Leicestershire Police, their local force, only for them to be ignored.
Mr McCann told a press conference in London: “There are certainly instances where information which we think is very credible and worthy of further investigation has not been actioned. We're gutted, it's absolutely shocking and difficult. We're trying our absolute best, Madeleine's still missing, and, as we say, the perpetrator's still there.
“We're not saying they are the leads that will result in finding her. But if you don't investigate information when it comes in, you will never solve it.
“It's a very serious case and there's lots of information that's being held by different law enforcement agencies. We want the authorities to work together. We feel it is fundamental for a systematic review to take place.”
Mr Amaral, who was the first head of the police investigation into Madeleine's disappearance, published Maddie: The Truth Of The Lie in July 2008 and had appealed against the book's ban at the main civil court in the Portuguese capital Lisbon last month.
A judge granted the McCanns a temporary injunction in September, banning the book and a TV documentary about the case. Yesterday a judge upheld an injunction halting further sale or publication of the book. Mr Amaral today said he would appeal again and would fight the case at the European Court of Human Rights.
Reader views (9)
They blame everyone else except themselves.
- John Smith, London. UK, 25/02/2010 10:57
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I agree with Volpone, should never have left them on there own in the first place.
- C Cusano, Bedford, 22/02/2010 08:44
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Aren't they asking themselves WHY for several nights in Portugal, they went off wining & dining with friends, leaving their THREE little kiddies in an UNLOCKED apartment more than 100 yards away, out of sight and sound?
What hideously irresponsible behaviour.
Right from the start, the McCanns were given extraordinary help and support - and loads of money - to help find poor Madeleine.
Now they need to pay attention to the needs of their twins.
- John Blenkinsop, West Yorkshire ENGLAND, 21/02/2010 23:01
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They were given immense funds and enormous help right from the start. And, let's face it, Dr and Dr McCann, if YOU had looked after your 3 little children properly, this situation would not have developed. BUT, you persistently left your 3 toddlers ALONE in an UNLOCKED apartment, no babysitter, while you went off with your mates over 100 yards away.
- John Blenkinsop, West Yorkshire ENGLAND, 21/02/2010 07:05
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VOLPONE, That's very judgemental, Do you know their everyday activities.They will probably be giving thier other two children more attention, probably afraid to ever leave them after this terrible thing thats happened. As a mother I know I would NEVER give up looking for my child.I would NEVER EVER give up until I saw my child again.
- Lcr, LINCOLNSHIRE UK, 20/02/2010 23:32
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My prayers for this poor couple, what pain they must suffer, shame on those adding to the pain.
- Tara, London, 19/02/2010 18:35
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@ Volpone, London, London
Wow, are you a human being or just Portuguese?
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 19/02/2010 17:08
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They are going to have to realise the sad fact No very sad fact that their daughter is gone and nothing will bring her back. But one wonders what really went on in this case perhaps the truth will come out one day.... We all have lost loved ones and one all have to let go... May the little girl rest in peace and the guilty be exposed and then go to Hell for ever...
- Ziz, Farnham, 19/02/2010 16:54
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Isn't it about time they paid attention to their other two children? Why not accept the unacceptable and get quietly on with your lives?
- Volpone, London, London, 19/02/2010 15:55
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