Madeleine McCann's parents win €500k in damages against former police chief.

[Brietta]

Who said writing a book ?

You do have a vivid imagination.

                                                 %&5%£  Whoops!!

One of us must be on the wrong thread and since we appear to be discussing Madeleine McCann's parents winning libel damages for a book written by Mr Amaral which has defamed and lied about them ... I think it may be you.

[Montclair]

From what I have been told the ruling has stated that the book was not libelous, so I cannot understand how the judge could have awarded the parents that much money.

[John]

You have got it wrong all along John so it's not surprising you don't realise the significance of this result..........this is a resounding success for the McCanns but posters on here will try to pretend otherwise

A mediocre result at best?   They failed to win £1 million which was their aim, they failed to prove libel on behalf of the twins and they failed in their claim that Amaral's book damaged the search. 

Amaral intends to appeal this judgement to the Portuguese Supreme Court so no surprises there and given past decisions...well. let's wait another five years and see.

In the meantime no money will be paid to anyone.

It is also worth mentioning the little fact which you clearly don't wish to acknowledge and that is that it is still unknown what happened to Madeleine and whether Amaral was correct in his thesis.

[stephen25000]

                                                 %&5%£  Whoops!!

One of us must be on the wrong thread and since we appear to be discussing Madeleine McCann's parents winning libel damages for a book written by Mr Amaral which has defamed and lied about them ... I think it may be you.

I was referring the point that UK police pointed the Portuguese in the mccanns direction.

As to the book, let's see what happens next.

Also, very clear cut.

The mccanns were unable to prove that had any impact on the search.

Do keep up.

[Brietta]

Anyway ... who really cares a button for all this diversion which should never have happened in the first place; I think Goncalo Amaral was always morally wrong in what he did and the judge has confirmed that he was legally wrong as well, and hers is the opinion that counts.

The important issue here is that another hurdle and impediment to investigating what happened to Madeleine has been pushed aside.  The people in the area where it happened who have been fed a diet of lies and misinformation via this man might look on things with a different perspective now and someone might remember something of significance.

The pity is it didn't happen years ago when the trail was fresher, but the waters are no longer as muddied as they were ... so all efforts now will be concentrated on finding out what happened to Madeleine McCann.
That is what we all want ... isn't it???

[jassi]

Are any of the UK papers carrying this story yet?  I've had a quick look through some of their websites, but haven't seen anything.

[stephen25000]

Anyway ... who really cares a button for all this diversion which should never have happened in the first place; I think Goncalo Amaral was always morally wrong in what he did and the judge has confirmed that he was legally wrong as well, and hers is the opinion that counts.

The important issue here is that another hurdle and impediment to investigating what happened to Madeleine has been pushed aside.  The people in the area where it happened who have been fed a diet of lies and misinformation via this man might look on things with a different perspective now and someone might remember something of significance.

The pity is it didn't happen years ago when the trail was fresher, but the waters are no longer as muddied as they were ... so all efforts now will be concentrated on finding out what happened to Madeleine McCann.
That is what we all want ... isn't it???

The case has established the book had no impact on the search.

Meanwhile what are SY doing ? &%+((£

[Alice Purjorick]

Does anyone know when the official court document will be in the public domain?
It will be interesting to have the full SP.
At the moment it is difficult to tell what really happened.
The start sheet looked like:
4 Defendants
A writ with 42 items on it two of which were:
The Book et al had a deleterious effect on the search for Madeleine.
The book caused anguish etc the McCanns
Damages sought were 500k for the Drs McCann
450k for Madeleine
95k each for Amelie and Sean.
The unofficial result sheet being bandied about looks like:
The book did not effect the search for Madeleine
The McCanns did indeed suffer anguish as a result of the book.
The McCanns have been awarded 360k damages plus interest which no doubt the court will calculate. This presumably will be spread over the defendants.
Around 600k to 750k in damages claims has been booted into the long grass. (there has always been confusion over the unit of currency)
The defendants have the right of appeal.
If I remember correctly in this case each party pays their own costs.
Isobel and Clarence have been at pains to point out to us it wasn't about the money.
Roll on the pukka gen!

[Eleanor]

Are any of the UK papers carrying this story yet?  I've had a quick look through some of their websites, but haven't seen anything.

The Daily Mail.  Not sure about the others.

[stephen25000]

Does anyone know when the official court document will be in the public domain?
It will be interesting to have the full SP.
At the moment it is difficult to tell what really happened.
The start sheet looked like:
4 Defendants
A writ with 42 items on it two of which were:
The Book et al had a deleterious effect on the search for Madeleine.
The book caused anguish etc the McCanns
Damages sought were 500k for the Drs McCann
450k for Madeleine
95k each for Amelie and Sean.
The unofficial result sheet being bandied about looks like:
The book did not effect the search for Madeleine
The McCanns did indeed suffer anguish as a result of the book.
The McCanns have been awarded 360k damages plus interest which no doubt the court will calculate. This presumably will be spread over the defendants.
Around 600k to 750k in damages claims has been booted into the long grass. (there has always been confusion over the unit of currency)
The defendants have the right of appeal.
If I remember correctly in this case each party pays their own costs.
Isobel and Clarence have been at pains to point out to us it wasn't about the money.
Roll on the pukka gen!

Thank you for that Alice.

[Alice Purjorick]

The case has established the book had no impact on the search.

Meanwhile what are SY doing ? &%+((£

The Met & PJ are no doubt continuing to do whatever it was they were doing. This will have no impact on it.

[Brietta]

The case has established the book had no impact on the search.

Meanwhile what are SY doing ? &%+((£

I cannot believe anyone can possibly be as obtuse as you pretend ... and the fact that the judge's ruling suits me fine and has obviously upset you is neither here nor there.

Whoever took Madeleine McCann can no longer hide behind the very convenient smokescreen created by Goncalo Amaral and the libels and slanders he has been responsible for ... once two modern competent law enforcement agencies took over who were determined to crack the case and not perpetuate a theory, it was inevitable.

The judge's ruling reflects that and as far as helping the investigation into Madeleine McCann's case goes it is a very important step.

So comfort yourself with thoughts of what the McCanns did not win ... I'm far too busy enjoying the news of what they did win, and that was a tremendous amount as it includes the fact their integrity has been assured and Goncalo Amaral recognised for what he is ... and that is confirmed by two court judgements to the effect.

[jassi]

The Daily Mail.  Not sure about the others.

Oh, is it ? I had a look there - must have missed it.. Better have another look.

[Montclair]

The Daily Mail.  Not sure about the others.

And you have to scroll down so far to find the article among their other important articles about Justin Bieber or one of Bruce Willis's daughters.

So far, today, none of the lawyers have received any official notification. Perhaps that is why the papers are not giving the story much space, probably waiting for something official.

[stephen25000]

I cannot believe anyone can possibly be as obtuse as you pretend ... and the fact that the judge's ruling suits me fine and has obviously upset you is neither here nor there.

Whoever took Madeleine McCann can no longer hide behind the very convenient smokescreen created by Goncalo Amaral and the libels and slanders he has been responsible for ... once two modern competent law enforcement agencies took over who were determined to crack the case and not perpetuate a theory, it was inevitable.

The judge's ruling reflects that and as far as helping the investigation into Madeleine McCann's case goes it is a very important step.

So comfort yourself with thoughts of what the McCanns did not win ... I'm far too busy enjoying the news of what they did win, and that was a tremendous amount as it includes the fact their integrity has been assured and Goncalo Amaral recognised for what he is ... and that is confirmed by two court judgements to the effect.

We shall see after the appeal.

Yes the mccanns have been awarded money, but that is subject to appeal, and the Portuguese court system.

As to the mccanns, can you name any case where parents who did what the mccanns did, and ended up with a monetary award for their own failings in not protecting their children ?