McCann libel trial postponed

A Lisbon court has postponed the start of a libel action brought by the parents of missing British girl Madeleine McCann against a former Portuguese detective.

A court clerk said the lawyer of defendant Goncalo Amaral did not turn up at the trial's scheduled opening session today for health reasons, and the judge ordered a postponement.

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Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, flew to Lisbon to attend the trial.

They are seeking €1.2m in damages from Mr Amaral regarding a book he published about Madeleine's disappearance during a holiday in southern Portugal more than two years ago.

The book alleges the child is dead. The McCanns contend the book defames them by questioning their version of events.