Further Reading

Tuesday, 22 July 2008

McCann Lawyers See Police Files

Sky News (Tuesday 22nd July 2008) says: Lawyers for Gerry and Kate McCann will be looking for unexplored leads later this week as they are given access to the files compiled by detectives investigating Madeleine's disappearance.

This will help the couple's private investigators continue their search for the missing girl - and possibly lead to a legal action against Portuguese authorities.

After having their status as "arguidos" or formal suspects lifted, the McCanns have not ruled out suing the police who they say wrongly accused them of involvement in Madeleine's disappearance.

Their spokesman Clarence Mitchell told Sky News: "By the end of this week, lawyers will have complete access to everything.

"They will have three weeks to examine it in detail and feed that all back to Gerry and Kate and the private investigators."

He went on: "They want to find their daughter - it's as simple as that and this information is a key element in that.

"They are relieved, of course, that they are no longer 'arguido' or suspect but frankly the whole thing was an unnecessary, wrongly imposed distraction."

Asked if the McCanns intend to take legal action against the Portuguese police, he said: "They will not hesitate from taking action if they feel it is necessary."

The couple, both 40, now have "a sense of being free" but have been left "drained by the whole thing".

He said: " Of course they are angry but it's not the time for throwing accusations around or pointing the finger of blame."

The focus is back on the search for their daughter, said Mr Mitchell, as the couple "cling to the hope that she is alive".