The McCann v Gonçalo Amaral libel trial as it happens.

[jassi]

I think you will find amaral said a lot more than that

I suppose it will all depend upon what is considered relevant within the scope of the trial.

[Mr Gray]

I suppose it will all depend upon what is considered relevant within the scope of the trial.

as no one seems to understand Portuguese law ..who knows. But the fact that Murat was successful gives me hope.

[AnneGuedes]

mrs Oldfield called a journalist she knew in spite of the police asking not to involve the media.

[Mr Gray]

mrs Oldfield called a journalist she knew in spite of the police asking not to involve the media.

perhaps Mrs Oldfield thought the police didn't know what they were doing...

[VIXTE]

The best outcome would be Madeleine turning out to be alive. 

[Benice]

Here's another fabrication from his book:-

QUOTE
With amazement the police officers discover a series of books and manuals exclusively intended for police services and government agencies.
UNQUOTE

Where is the corroboration for that untrue statement in the files?   Any member of the public has access to those books and manuals.   There is nothing to be ''amazed'' about them at all.    So what is he trying to infer?

[Benice]

Stricto senso, Mrs Oldfield contacted a BBC journalist friend in the middle of the night.

Which is a long time after the police had been informed - so that accusation in his book is a false one.

[Sherlock Holmes]

What I meant is that it's not sufficient to say the truth (whether it is the truth or what you think is true), the motivation behind is crucial.

But to clarify in the case of libel (an untrue, harmful statement), there normally has to be proof of intent to harm, or at least it should be self-evident that in issuing the statement, harm would be caused.

[AnneGuedes]

But to clarify in the case of libel (an untrue, harmful statement), there normally has to be proof of intent to harm, or at least it should be self-evident that in issuing the statement, harm would be caused.

The conformity of the book isn't in question now. Only the impact on the McCanns.
They have to prove they have suffered because of the book and that the investigation (their) was hampered.

[Sherlock Holmes]

The conformity of the book isn't in question now. Only the impact on the McCanns.
They have to prove they have suffered because of the book and that the investigation (their) was hampered.

Yes, that's it.

[AnneGuedes]

What a terrible position for a parent to find themselves in.

They say they suffer because the family isn't complete. As parents whose child  unfortunately died.

[Sherlock Holmes]

They say they suffer because the family isn't complete. As parents whose child  unfortunately died.

]

They mean incomplete in the sense that Madeleine is not there - not that she is necessarily dead.

Remember we just mentioned above that they maintained the idea that she was alive, even though this would probably entail terrible things.

[Mr Gray]

The conformity of the book isn't in question now. Only the impact on the McCanns.
They have to prove they have suffered because of the book and that the investigation (their) was hampered.

what about defamation

[John]

Contrary to what was reported previously, the judge has not yet set a date for the next hearing.  The reason for this appears to be that both sides have asked for clarification of several matters from the judge.

[John]

QUOTE from Amarals book:-

 It seems that the McCanns' friends have reported Maddie's disappearance to the press before informing the police about it
UNQUOTE

That is in fact true.  Both the tapas-9 friend and the family member who contacted the BBC and Sky News did not contact the police beforehand, that responsibility was left to AN Other.

The comment should not be taken to mean that the Press were contacted before the police.