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Monday, 21 July 2008

As police close Maddie case, McCanns face new agony over book by former investigation chief

Daily Mail (Monday 21st July 2008) says: Kate and Gerry McCann are expected to be told today that the inquiry into their daughter's disappearance is being shelved. But in a heartbreaking blow, a book by the disgraced former head of the investigation will be published on Thursday promising 'explosive revelations' about the inquiry.

The memoir by Goncalo Amaral reportedly contains allegations that Madeleine died accidentally in her parents' care, and that they disposed of her body to cover up the death.

The McCanns, both 40, vehemently deny the claims.

Mr Amaral, 48, authorised the decision to name the McCanns as official suspects in their daughter's disappearance. He was widely criticised for ignoring potential leads because of his focus on the couple and his rigid belief that Madeleine died in their holiday apartment in Praia da Luz on May 3 last year.

Many of the lurid smears and bizarre leaks from inside the police inquiry were also rumoured to have come from him. They stopped abruptly when he was removed from the case last October.

Friends of the McCanns said their legal team would study his book, provisionally titled True Lies, and had not ruled out bringing libel proceedings against him.

It is set to hit the shelves three days after Portugal's attorney general is expected to announce the police inquiry will be 'archived'.