Mccanns: We’ve seen the worst and best of human nature online

Madeleine Mccann’s parents admit they have been shocked by hurtful online abuse – but prefer to focus on the kindness shown towards them by wellwishers over the past decade.

Being interviewed ahead of the 3 May anniversary of their daughter’s disappearance, the Mccanns said they had been as open as they could be with their 12-year-old twins about distressing comments posted online.

Cardiologist Gerry Mccann told the BBC: “I don’t want to dwell on the negative aspects too long, but I think in this era of ‘fake news’ it is extremely 0 Gerry Mccann thankful for support over Madeleine topical and I think people just need to think twice before they write.”

Describing how he protects the twins from the issue, Mr Mccann added: “We have been as open with them as we can.

“We have told them about things and that people are writing things that are simply just untrue and they need to be aware of that.”

But Mr Mccann stressed: “I think we’ve seen the worst and the best of human nature. And our personal experience, rather than on the internet, has been overwhelmingly seeing the better side of human nature.

“And I think we need to remember that, actually. We’ve had fantastic support over the last ten years. And because there’s a lot of media attention now, we are starting to see that again.”