Libel damages for the McCanns

[Workingman]

The court in Lisbon has awarded them £357,000, plus £70,000 interest, in damages against the policeman who led the search for Maddie and then wrote a book about it when he retired. In the book he claimed the McCanns hid Maddie's body after she died in an accident.

They sued, obviously, and asked for €1.2 million.

The thing is, I though that libel only occurred when a statement is made, one which can be proved to be untrue. If there is any doubt or if the statement cannot be proved to be untrue then no libel has been committed. Have the McCanns proved the untruth? If they have it has never been published; and the damages awarded seem to suggest that there is doubt.

Another thing bugging me is why the McCanns asked for so much money? If they wanted to prove a point why not sue for €10 and have done with things? Haven't they made enough money out of Maddie with their book, website, interviews and video?

[Nanna]

[Kaz]

It's absolutely disgraceful - they are shameless

[moondancer]

The thing is, I though that libel only occurred when a statement is made, one which can be proved to be untrue.?

It was proved to be untrue when their status of arguidos was formally thrown out, meaning that in law they had no involvement in their daughter's death.

They have been through hell and back and are no nearer in finding Madeleine than on day one.

I hope this money helps in some way with the search, although it's now painfully obvious there will be no happy outcome.

How they've stayed sane through all this is unbelievable, probably only due to the fact that they have 2 more children to consider, otherwise I believe that Kate would have committed suicide.

And what would you prefer....your daughter back or money ?

I know which I'd choose any day.

[Kaz]

I know what I believe, and I know what a senior police detective I know believes..........

Whether the actual truth of this case will emerge someday is anyone's guess

[Suff]

Well, if it ever does turn out that the policeman was right, then a false libel case will be the least of their problems.

If they are right, then this is justified. If they are hiding something, then they really had no other option but to do this.

How can you tell? Although I have my own view on this.

[cromwell]

Perhaps the McCanns thought they had no option but to sue? If they hadn't there would always be people saying that they had been accused of covering up the murder of their own child, and had never bothered suing the person who said it?

[Nanna]

Thanks for posting what I was thinking Moondancer x. You've got more courage than me.

[pederito1]

Still have an open mind on the subject but would dearly love to know the truth.

It must be presumed she id dead and if so I would prefer to think she died of an accident rather than the horrendous action of a depraved child killer.
Could there possibly have been a mistake in a sleeping pill dose? appreciate they would not want to see the pm report.

[Workingman]

Moonie, the arguidos status was removed from the McCanns and Murat because no proof could be found. That is a long way from saying they were innocent or that suspicion was removed. The investigation was shelved because magistrates believed that there was no prospect of a conclusion. However, they left the door open for the investigation to be reinstated if new, relevant and applicable evidence came to light. None of these things "clear" the McCanns, nor do they make them "guilty", which leaves them, and any reporting or views on the case, in limbo.

You ask whether I would want my daughter back or money? I hope my answer is obvious - to have my daughter back.

However, the question of money is interesting. I said in my OP that it was obvious the McCanns would sue - it is what I would do. Suff and Cromwell have given good reasons why that might have been the case, but why ask for £1m? Asking for a token amount to prove a point might actually have been paid in full and removed any doubt; it might also gained them some measure of respect. Asking for so much and being "delighted" to get half only leaves them open to the reaction(s) they are getting. They are their own worst enemies at times.

Nanna (((N))) you should not feel unable to speak your mind on here. VV is not like some other places where insults and threats appear to be the norm.