Appeal to the Supreme Court by McCann lawyer

An appeal to the Supreme Court has been filed by the lawyer on behalf of the McCanns.

PJGA will assume the legal costs for Gonçalo Amaral, thanks to your contributions.

We remain confident, as always, that Justice will be served and Freedom of Speech, of Opinion and of Information will prevail.

Maddie McCann's parents lodge legal bid against cop who claimed 'cover-up'
MADELEINE McCann's parents have lodged a new legal bid to silence the former detective who claims they covered up her death.

Goncalo Amaral overturned a court ruling ordering him to pay doctors Kate and Gerry McCann 500,000 Euro (£380,000) in libel damages over the claims in his best-selling book The Truth Of The Lie.

The victory meant the former policeman – who led the hunt for the youngster for five months after she vanished in Portugal in 2007 – did not have to pay the McCanns any compensation and could re-publish his book.

The couple, from Rothley, Leics, were ordered to pay his court costs.

But they have now submitted an appeal to Portugal's Supreme Court to overturn Mr Amaral's win.

If they lose, the legal bill could wipe out the Find Madeleine Fund set up using public donations to help the search for their daughter.

A friend of the couple said: "They are exasperated by this. The longer it goes on the more anguish it causes them.

"We hope the appeal will be successful.

"If they lose there will be a big legal bill to pay which will come from the fund set up to find Madeleine.

"When Operation Grange ends Kate and Gerry will have to finance their own private investigation again.