The McCanns Get Favourable Ruling in Suit Against Goncalo Amaral

Kate & Gerry McCann made headway in libel case against Goncalo Amaral

A Portuguese judge concluded the couple were “emotionally hurt” by the former-detective’s book about the tragedy.

She also highlighted that Goncalo Amaral appeared to including information from official files of the investigation in his book.

Kate and Gerry McCann are suing Mr Amaral for £1 million over allegations in his 2008 book The Truth of the Lie.

The detective headed the first police investigation into the disappearance of three-year-old Madeleine who vanished from an Algarve resort in May 2007.

He published his book three days after the Portuguese shelved inquiries into the case.

Last year, the McCanns told a court in Lisbon they were left “devastated and crushed” by claims in the book.

In The Truth of the Lie, Mr Amaral accused them of faking their daughter’s kidnap to cover up her death in the holiday apartment in Praia da Luz.

His allegations were also the basis of a Portuguese television documentary.

During her emotional testimony, Mrs McCann said: “I believe that’s what’s in Mr Amaral’s book and the documentary is very distressing to adults. To a child it could be very damaging.”

Asked how she felt after reading the book, she said: “I was devastated. It made me feel quite desperate because of the injustice I felt towards my daughter and our family as a whole.

“It was very painful to read and I felt sad for Madeleine. I also felt anxious and fearful because of the damage I felt it was doing in Portugal.”

Amaral

During a private hearing yesterday, Judge Maria Emilia Melo e Castro ruled in favour of the McCanns by acknowledging the hurt the book had caused them.

She also concluded Mr Amaral’s book had reproduced extracts from police files.

But she also is also believed to have dismissed a claim by the McCanns that the book effectively halted new police inquiries into what happened to their little girl.

Yesterday’s hearing, attended by lawyers for the McCanns and Mr Amaral, is the latest stage in the long running-legal saga which began in October 2013.

It took place to discuss which facts had been proven in the case.

No date has yet been set for a full judgment but the McCanns, from Rothley, Leicestershire, hope it will be next month.

Inquiries by Portuguese police and Scotland Yard detectives into the truth about Madeleine’s disappearance are continuing.