McCanns to attend trial

KATE and Gerry McCann returned to Portugal yesterday for the libel trial of the former Portuguese detective who headed the investigation into their daughter, Madeleine’s, disappearance.

The couple launched legal action against Goncalo Amaral after he published a book questioning their account about what happened to the little girl.

The McCanns, both 41, from Rothley, Leicestershire, flew to Lisbon ahead of the three-day trial, which is due to start at the main civil court in the Portuguese capital today.

In his book, Maddie: The Truth Of The Lie, which was published in July 2008, Amaral claimed that Madeleine was dead and questioned the McCanns’ account that she was abducted.

A Portuguese judge granted an injunction in September last year banning further sale or publication of the book.