Supreme Court rules against the McCanns in damages case.

[misty]

The Court of Appeal did not agree with the judge of the first instance; the Supreme Court it seems upheld the Court of Appeal's ruling. That seems to be simple enough.... the first judge made a mistake.

The judges in various courts seem to have made a lot of "mistakes" in this case, don't they? The law has no consistency.

[Alice Purjorick]

The right to freedom of speech comes with certain responsibilities & restrictions. Amaral breached those responsibilities imo but it would appear Portuguese justice ignores the writings of Article 10 ECHR as & when it suits.

I expect they do para 2 of the article being such one could drive a Liebherr dragline through it.
But in this instance the McCanns lost their case Sr Amaral is probably placing an order for a Maserati Ghibli and most of the world's population will not give a stuff or say "remind me, what were the rules of engagement here?"

[G-Unit]

If and when it is confirmed that someone other than the McCanns were responsible for Madeleine's disappearance will this verdict still be viewed as justice served?

Amaral's opinions may be wrong, but the case wasn't about that. It was about his right to express his opinions. The verdict was that he had that right, so justice was served.

[pathfinder73]

[Alice Purjorick]

In Portugal the freedom to say what you like  about another even if it is unproven or untrue is more important than the right not to be smeared and lied about, that's what it boils down to. Amaral fans think that's just, McCanns supporters think it's unjust, and never the twain shall meet.

 
are they like the Amaral Campers ?

[faithlilly]

Another elbowing-in McCann stylee !

https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/2753198/kate-mccanns-missing-people-choir-brings-britains-got-talent-judges-to-tears-with-heartbreaking-secret-audition/

[Brietta]

Official Find Madeleine Campaign
5 hrs ·

Statement from Gerry and Kate McCann Regarding Portuguese Supreme Court Ruling

What we have been told by our lawyers is obviously extremely disappointing.
It is eight years since we brought the action and in that time the landscape has dramatically changed, namely there is now a joint Metropolitan Police-Policia Judiciaria investigation which is what we've always wanted.

The police in both countries continue to work on the basis that there is no evidence that Madeleine has come to physical harm.

We will, of course, be discussing the implications of the Supreme Court ruling with our lawyers in due course.

Gerry and Kate
https://www.facebook.com/Official.Find.Madeleine.Campaign/

[John]

Official Find Madeleine Campaign
5 hrs ·

Statement from Gerry and Kate McCann Regarding Portuguese Supreme Court Ruling

What we have been told by our lawyers is obviously extremely disappointing.
It is eight years since we brought the action and in that time the landscape has dramatically changed, namely there is now a joint Metropolitan Police-Policia Judiciaria investigation which is what we've always wanted.

The police in both countries continue to work on the basis that there is no evidence that Madeleine has come to physical harm.

We will, of course, be discussing the implications of the Supreme Court ruling with our lawyers in due course.

Gerry and Kate
https://www.facebook.com/Official.Find.Madeleine.Campaign/

I think the implications are rather obvious.

Head down and hope Amaral is feeling charitable.

[Brietta]

I think the implications are rather obvious.

Head down and hope Amaral is feeling charitable.

I rather think it will be heads up and expectation of what they know all too well are the capabilities of the man.  In my opinion expectation or hope of charitable feeling from that quarter is futile.  If Amaral does not go about making more mischief it will not be through charity ... it will be for his own reasons.
Maybe along the lines of you can't get blood out of a stone?  Mind you, there are those who might not object to seeing the family out on the street ... we might get the opportunity to see if Amaral is one of them.

The ball is in his court ... at the moment.

[G-Unit]

The McCanns appear to have run out of courts.

[Robittybob1]

It no longer matters what Amaral said in his book, though, does it? What matters is the judgement of the Portuguese courts. They have decided that he was exercising his right to freedom of speech and that in doing so he didn't breach the rights of the McCanns or their children. End of.

Do you think the same decision would have been made in other European countries.  I hope they take it further.  It is unjust in my opinion.

[Mr Gray]

It is a massive massive victory for injustice

[Robittybob1]

exactly  even if the mcanns and supporters dont like it he is entitled to his opinion

Did he really make it clear it was just opinion or was he trying to say it was a fact?

[Mr Gray]

Did he really make it clear it was just opinion or was he trying to say it was a fact?

He presented it as fact

[Mr Gray]

We all have our right to opinion but we do not have the right to express that opinion if it offends others rights