A consultant cardiologist from Leicestershire whose daughter Madeleine, aged three, disappeared during a family holiday in Portugal in May 2007. Dr McCann, his wife Kate and their holiday companions were the subject of multiple libels in national newspapers, for some of which they sued and received damages.
This presents a chronological account of events, starting with the disappearance of Madeleine McCann and the legal and other circumstances in Portugal, going through a period of press support, then growing hostility, especially once the couple had ‘arguido’ status in Portuguese law. McCann describes the arrangements the family made to handle intense media interest. As the fabrication of stories continued, the couple tried privately to persuade editors to change course but eventually sued the Express papers, which quickly settled. He describes legal actions against the News of the world and Associated Newspapers and gives an account of dealings with the Press Complaints Commission (PCC), concluding that it is ineffective. After discussing the publication of Kate McCann’s book, ‘Madeleine’, he states that papers were driven to publish falsehoods by commercial motives and calls for ‘culture change’.
Questioned by Robert Jay QC and David Sherborne. This is a long session in which they shed additional light on most aspects of Gerry McCann’s statement. Some further elements are added, including a description of the family’s journey to the airport in Portugal, pursued by reporters. Gerry McCann opens by describing four main areas of concern: libel; privacy; contempt for judicial process and accountability. Jay addresses these at the end.
Questioned by Robert Jay QC and David Sherborne. This is a long session in which they shed additional light on most aspects of Gerry McCann’s statement. Some further elements are added, including a description of the family’s journey to the airport in Portugal, pursued by reporters. Gerry McCann opens by describing four main areas of concern: libel; privacy; contempt for judicial process and accountability. Jay addresses these at the end.
This presents a chronological account of events, starting with the disappearance of Madeleine McCann and the legal and other circumstances in Portugal, going through a period of press support, then growing hostility, especially once the couple had ‘arguido’ status in Portuguese law. McCann describes the arrangements the family made to handle intense media interest. As the fabrication of stories continued, the couple tried privately to persuade editors to change course but eventually sued the Express papers, which quickly settled. He describes legal actions against the News of the world and Associated Newspapers and gives an account of dealings with the Press Complaints Commission (PCC), concluding that it is ineffective. After discussing the publication of Kate McCann’s book, ‘Madeleine’, he states that papers were driven to publish falsehoods by commercial motives and calls for ‘culture change’.
