Yes here is an example from a case in South London before it was solved
"Scotland Yard ... confirmed X was being quizzed as a witness not a suspect"
And from a Cambs case before it was solved.
"The officer explained to Y that he was not a suspect"
In both those cases, the "not a suspect" person has since won unlimited free all-season holiday accommodation.
Sometimes this is masked by ' They are helping us with our enquiries'
There seems to be some sort of angst about judicial secrecy regarding Amaral.
Both sides were leaking stories-The McCANNS were the first by involving the media immediately,traipsing all over the town interfering with possible witnesses,trying for headline grabbing news and what they got was Sardine munchers etc...
The McCANNS also broke the law by employing an illegal PI company or three to 'investigate'.
The fact about Amaral revealing information too early is laughable really, and had NOTHING to do with hurting the family with all sorts of suffering cause by this book. Which is what the initial claim was about- they stuck that wee bit on after a failed attempt to sue him at first.
So that is more about a criminal act and not under civil law I would guess. So If you feel so enraged, and some really do, then perhaps you should bring this to the attention of the police or CPS equivalent.
But ,anyway the supreme court are aware and have mentioned it, and didn't see fit to have him arrested and have his finger nails removed for his evilness.