Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
MCCANNS’ AGONY AT NETFLIX’S TV SERIES
Film could spark new court battle
KATE and Gerry Mccann could launch fresh legal action against an ex-portuguese police chief.
Goncalo Amaral is believed to have given an interview to the filmmakers behind a controversial Netflix series, due out tomorrow.
Lawyers for the couple will be “monitoring” what the ex-detective says about daughter Madeleine, who vanished, aged three, in 2007.
The Mccanns, both 51, have an ongoing court fight with Mr Amaral after he wrote a book pointing the finger of blame at them.
He is one of more than 30 people who have taken part in the documentary. It is produced in Britain so the couple could take action against him in the UK courts.
They rejected a chance to see a preview but their lawyers will examine it when it is aired.
A source said: “They have no desire to watch the show but they have been made aware Mr Amaral has taken part.
“What he says will be monitored in light of the previous false allegations.”
Mr Amaral claimed
Maddie, who disappeared on holiday in Praia da Luz, Portugal, died in an accident her parents covered up.
The 59-year-old, who lives in Lisbon, earned £350,000-plus from his book, The Truth Of The Lie, and a DVD. Kate and Gerry sued in Portuguese courts, sparking a bitter eight-year legal row which still rumbles on. The Mccanns won the libel action in 2015 but the ruling was overturned on appeal. And that decision was upheld by Portu- gal’s Supreme Court in 2017. The Mccanns are now challenging him at the European Court of Human Rights after being told to pay £750,000 compensation.
Kate and Gerry, of Rothley, Leics, refused to take part in the Nexflix film, claiming it could “potentially hinder” the investigation as they believe their daughter is still alive.
Trailers appear on the streaming service today and the full series will be available from tomorrow.