Kate McCann criticises detective in Madeleine case

KATE McCann has strongly criticised the Portuguese detective who named her and her husband Gerry as suspects in their daughter Madeleine’s disappearance.

In the couple’s first interview since they were formally cleared of involvement in the case, she attacked Goncalo Amaral’s decision to write a book about the inquiry.

Amaral, the former head of the investigation, made a series of allegations against the McCanns in The Truth About The Lie, which was published in Portugal six weeks ago.

Portuguese prosecutors announced on July 21 that they were shelving the case and lifting the McCann’s status as “arguidos”, or official suspects.

The couple made a brief statement at the time but did not speak at length.

In an interview to be published in the Portuguese newspaper Expresso today, the McCanns, both 40, from Rothley, Leicestershire, speak of their hopes for finding Madeleine and their fears of being arrested last summer.

A short video posted on Expresso’s website shows the couple looking relaxed as they answer questions, both wearing the yellow wristbands of the official Find Madeleine campaign.

In the clip Mr McCann said: “I will be honest. We have got no idea whether Madeleine is alive or not. What we are certain of is that there is absolutely no evidence.”

Asked if the couple feared being arrested or accused by Portuguese police over their daughter’s disappearance, he said: “If you believe what was written in the papers, then of course we feared it. The situation for us was very frightening.”

Clarence Mitchell, the couple’s spokesman, said: “Kate and Gerry have chosen to speak to an element of the Portuguese media because they still firmly believe that there may be important information that somebody knows in Portugal.”