By Martin Fricker
Madeleine McCann's dad Gerry to face former Portuguese police chief in court in libel trial
26 Sep 2013 20:18
Goncalo Amaral angered the McCanns by claiming they covered up the death of Madeleine, who vanished from their holiday apartment in 2007
Maddy's parents: Kate and Gerry
Daily Mirror/Ian Vogler
Gerry McCann will tomorrow come face to face with the Portuguese police chief who accused him and wife Kate of covering up their daughter’s death.
The heart specialist is hoping to give evidence in the couple’s explosive £1m libel trial against shamed cop Goncalo Amaral.
Amaral angered the McCanns by claiming they covered up the death of missing Madeleine, who vanished from their holiday apartment in 2007.
Gerry, 45, has submitted a request to be heard as a witness to a court in Lisbon hearing the case.
Judge Maria Emilia Melo e Castro must approve the request before the trial restarts tomorrow morning.
Gerry’s sister Trish Cameron has been confirmed as a witness.
Kate, 45, attended the start of the case a fortnight ago with relatives including her mum Susan Healy and cousin Michael Corner.
But her plans to give evidence were scuppered when the judge failed to rule on whether she could take the witness stand.
Gerry’s decision to apply to give evidence is thought to be related to her frustrated hopes of speaking at the hearing.
It is believed a recent change in the law in Portugal now allow complainants in civil cases to give evidence.
If allowed to give evidence, Gerry is expected to tell the court how Mr Amaral’s claims hindered the ongoing search for Madeleine.
Madeline McCann: How saga has been reported
The McCanns, from Rothley, Leics, are suing Mr Amaral, 56, over his bombshell July 2008 book ‘The Truth of the Lie’.
They have also launched libel proceedings at Lisbon’s Palace of Justice against the book publishers and a TV channel.
During last week’s hearing it emerged sick internet trolls had discussed kidnapping Madeleine’s twin siblings.
The online conspiracy theorists - convinced her parents were behind her disappearance - incited bigots to back the kidnap of Sean and Amelie.
They bizarrely hoped the youngsters could shed light on what happened to missing Madeleine.
Kate and Gerry McCann were so horrified by the comments they contacted police in the UK who launched an investigation.
Mr Amaral’s book was published just three days after the McCanns had their status as ‘arguidos’ - formal suspects - lifted.
Goncalo Amaral
Around 120,000 copies of the book were sold before it was withdrawn when the McCanns won an injunction against him.
It formed the basis for a documentary screened on TVI - the Portuguese equivalent of ITV - in April 2009.
Madeleine was just three years old when she vanished from her parents’ holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in May 2007.
Kate and Gerry were dining with friends at a nearby tapas restaurant when she disappeared from her bedroom.
In his book he claimed Madeleine had not been abducted but died in an accident and the McCanns hid her body.
He also suggested the couple cashed in £2m of public donations.
Mr Amaral, 56, insists everything in his book is already contained in police and court case files on Madeleine which have been made public.
The case is due to finish hearing evidence in November.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/madeleine-mccann-dad-gerry-face-2307848
