MCCANN V AMARAL LIBEL TRIAL - UPDATES ONLY NO DISCUSSION

This thread is for people to keep up to date with developments..............therefore no discussion please just any relevant updates you may have from various sources.  It will be unlocked tomorrow.

First update.

Kate McCann in Lisbon, along with her mother and a few friends and relatives will be witnesses.  Two named as Dave Edgar and Michael Wright, according to other thread news.

martinbrunt ‏@skymartinbrunt 39m
#madeleine Ex-cop Goncalo Amaral defends McCann libel action in Lisbon tomorrow and is expected to ask judge to hold hearing in private.

All stories on this topic:

http://news.google.com/news/story?ncl=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/madeleinemccann/10303083/Kate-McCann-faces-former-police-chief-in-1m-libel-trial-over-Madeleines-disappearance.html&hl=en&geo=US

http://www.964eagle.co.uk/news/uk-news/1071043/madeleine-mccann-kate-to-attend-libel-hearing/

Madeleine McCann: Kate To Attend Libel Hearing

News > UK News 3:00am 12th September 2013.


Madeleine McCann's mother is attending a Portuguese court for the start of the family's libel action against a former police chief which could see them receive £1m in damages if they succeed.

Kate McCann will be accompanied by her mother Susan Healy for the first hearing of the case against Goncalo Amaral, who published a book making allegations about the three-year-old's disappearance in 2007.

The McCanns have strongly denied the accusations and say the former detective's claims have damaged the hunt for Madeleine and exacerbated the anguish suffered by her relatives.

Their lawyer Isabel Duarte is expected to set out the case - on behalf of Mrs McCann, her husband Gerry and their twins Sean and Amelie, now eight - at Lisbon's civil court.

Mrs McCann, who is travelling to Portugal without her husband, could have been called as a witness, but is not expected to give evidence.

Instead, a number of relatives will appear in the witness box. They will speak about the "damage" caused by Mr Amaral's book which, they claim, poisoned public opinion in Portugal against the family and allegedly deterred people from hunting for Madeleine.

Spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: "Kate and Gerry McCann remain very confident that they will win the case.

"They have a strong case against Mr Amaral. The matter is now in the hands of their lawyer as it goes through court."

It is understood Mr McCann is staying at the family home in Rothley, Leicestershire, to look after the couple's children.

Madeleine, who was nearly four at the time, disappeared from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in the Algarve on May 3, 2007, as her parents dined at a nearby tapas restaurant with friends.

British detectives launched a fresh investigation into her disappearance in July - two years into a review of the case - and believe she could still be alive.

The Portuguese investigation into Madeleine's disappearance is officially closed.

The libel case will be heard today and tomorrow. It will then be adjourned until next Thursday when the court will sit again for two days. A final hearing is expected on September 27. The judgement is expected to be deferred.

Repeat (without links) of Get 'em Goncalo's posting of news items re libel trial on Google News



McCanns libel trial: Madeleine McCann's mum Kate to face former detective as ...

Scottish Daily Record - ‎51 minutes ago‎

Kate McCann will today come face to face with a former detective who she has accused of hampering the search for her missing daughter Madeleine. She will be accompanied by her mother Susan Healy for the first hearing of the case against Goncalo ...

Kate McCann faces former police chief in £1m libel trial over Madeleine's ...

Telegraph.co.uk - ‎53 minutes ago‎

Mrs McCann's attendance in court is understood to be against the advice of Scotland Yard detectives who are attempting to launch their own investigation in the Algarve to try to solve the six-year mystery. The couple are suing disgraced detective Goncalo ...

Kate McCann in Portugal for libel case

The Guardian - ‎1 hour ago‎

Kate McCann is attending a libel hearing against the Portuguese detective Goncalo Amaral, who investigated and wrote a book on Madeleine's disappearance. Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA. Kate McCann, the mother of missing girl Madeleine, will attend a ...

McCann libel case against ex-detective set to begin

BBC News - ‎6 hours ago‎

Madeleine McCann's mother is expected to attend a Portuguese court later for the start of the family's libel action against a former local police chief. Kate McCann is not expected to give evidence against Goncalo Amaral, who published a book making ...

Libel case into Madeleine McCann book starts today in Lisbon

This is Leicestershire - ‎9 minutes ago‎

A libel action brought by the family of Madeleine McCann against a former local police chief was expected to open in a Portuguese court today. Mum Kate McCann was due to attend the hearing involving a book The Truth Of The Lie written by a former ...

Madeleine McCann's mother to hear libel case against former Portuguese police ...

Evening Standard - ‎32 minutes ago‎

The mother of missing British schoolgirl Madeleine McCann is due to attend a Portuguese court to start a libel claim against a former local police chief which could see them receive £1m in damages. Kate McCann is to be accompanied by her mother, Susan ...

Kate McCann To Attend Libel Case In Portugal

Huffington Post UK - ‎1 hour ago‎

The mother of missing Madeleine McCann faces further agony today as she attends a Portuguese court for the start of the family's libel action against a former local police chief. Kate McCann will be accompanied by her mother Susan Healy for the first hearing ...

Madeleine's mother will face her police tormentor in court

Express.co.uk - ‎1 hour ago‎

KATE McCann will today come face-to-face with the former police chief she accuses of hampering the search for her missing daughter Madeleine. By: David Pilditch. Published: Thu, September 12, 2013. Tweet · 0 Comments.

Madeleine McCann: Kate To Attend Libel Hearing

Orange UK News - ‎5 hours ago‎

The mother of missing Madeleine McCann will attend a Portuguese court for the start of the family's libel action against a former local polic chief which could see them receive £1m in damages if they succeed. Kate McCann will be accompanied by her mother ...

Kate McCann to attend libel case against former officer

ITV News - ‎6 hours ago‎

Kate McCann will appear in court in Portugal today to attend the start of a libel action against a former local police chief. Kate McCann will travel to Portugal to hear the case against Goncalo Amaral. She will be accompanied by her mother for the hearing ...

McCanns await start of Portuguese police chief case

ITV News - ‎6 hours ago‎

The mother of missing Madeleine McCann will have to face painful memories tomorrow at the start of a libel case against a former police chief in Portugal. Kate and Gerry McCann Credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire. Goncalo Amaral has published a book ...

Kate McCann in £1m court battle with accuser

Daily Star - ‎6 hours ago‎

KATE McCann will today come face-to-face with the disgraced police detective who accused her of covering up daughter Madeleine's death. By Jerry Lawton/ Published 12th September 2013. Kate McCann, evidence, libel trial Kate McCann is not expected to ...

McCanns' relatives to testify on 'damage' book inflicted

ITV News - ‎8 hours ago‎

Relatives of Kate and Gerry McCann are expected to give evidence at the libel trial of Portuguese police chief Goncalo Amaral. Mr McCann's cousin Michael Wright is expected to be among those giving evidence relating to the "damage" caused by Mr ...

ITV Report


McCanns await start of Portuguese police chief case

Last updated Thu 12 Sep 2013 UK 9.34pm

The mother of missing Madeleine McCann will have to face painful memories tomorrow at the start of a libel case against a former police chief in Portugal.

Goncalo Amaral has published a book making allegations about the three-year-old's disappearance, which the McCanns say has poisoned public opinion in Portugal against the family and deterred search efforts.

Kate McCann, who is not expected to give evidence, will be accompanied by her mother Susan Healy for the first hearing at Lisbon's civil court.

The family stands to gain around £1 million in damages if their legal action succeeds.

Twitter: #mccann

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23mccann&src=hash

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/HiDeHoCONTROVERSYofMadeleineMcCann/

Amaral's book (which is what this libel trial is all about): The Truth of the Lie http://goncaloamaraltruthofthelie.blogspot.co.uk/

MORE BRUNT TWEETS:

martinbrunt ‏@skymartinbrunt  18m

#madeleine McCann first witness at libel trial will be documentary maker Emma Loach, daughter of film director Ken Loach.


martinbrunt ‏@skymartinbrunt 17m

#madeleine Other McCann witnesses will include their private investigator Dave Edgar, solicitor Angus McBride and Kate's mum Susan Healy.


REMINDER:  'madeleine', pages 259-264 by Kate McCann:

Monday 10 September: "A Special Branch officer drove us to Rothley...For us it was straight down to business. Michael Caplan and Angus McBride arrived that afternoon for a thorough discussion of our situation...On Tuesday 11 September we had an 8am conference call with Michael Caplan, Angus McBride and Justine [McGuinness]..."

Major discussion taking place now on BT Yahoo News, link:

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/madeleine-mccann-kate-attend-libel-hearing-010321561.html#pzMJgp5


Comments are coming in fast and furious, and being voted 'Like' by dozens already - there is clearly huge interest in this story.

Most comments are along these lines: "It's their fault, if they didn't leave the children alone, the abduction wouldn't have happeend". But comments like this are being allowed on and voted up in large numbers:

Pity it will never be proven that she most likely died accidentally while left alone and they covered it up as they didn't want to lose their other kids or go to jail for neglect!

Latest count: over 220 comments posted already and new comments being posted at the rate of one a minute


BT Yahoo article below:

Madeleine McCann: Kate To Attend Libel Hearing

Sky News – 2 hours 2 minutes ago


Madeleine McCann's mother is attending a Portuguese court for the start of the family's libel action against a former police chief which could see them receive £1m in damages if they succeed.

Kate McCann will be accompanied by her mother Susan Healy for the first hearing of the case against Goncalo Amaral, who published a book making allegations about the three-year-old's disappearance in 2007.

The McCanns have strongly denied the accusations and say the former detective's claims have damaged the hunt for Madeleine and exacerbated the anguish suffered by her relatives.

Their lawyer Isabel Duarte is expected to set out the case - on behalf of Mrs McCann, her husband Gerry and their twins Sean and Amelie, now eight - at Lisbon's civil court.

Mrs McCann, who is travelling to Portugal without her husband, could have been called as a witness, but is not expected to give evidence.

Instead, a number of relatives will appear in the witness box. They will speak about the "damage" caused by Mr Amaral's book which, they claim, poisoned public opinion in Portugal against the family and allegedly deterred people from hunting for Madeleine.

Spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: "Kate and Gerry McCann remain very confident that they will win the case.

"They have a strong case against Mr Amaral. The matter is now in the hands of their lawyer as it goes through court."

It is understood Mr McCann is staying at the family home in Rothley, Leicestershire, to look after the couple's children.

Madeleine, who was nearly four at the time, disappeared from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in the Algarve on May 3, 2007, as her parents dined at a nearby tapas restaurant with friends.

British detectives launched a fresh investigation into her disappearance in July - two years into a review of the case - and believe she could still be alive.

The Portuguese investigation into Madeleine's disappearance is officially closed.

The libel case will be heard today and tomorrow. It will then be adjourned until next Thursday when the court will sit again for two days. A final hearing is expected on September 27. The judgement is expected to be deferred.

martinbrunt ‏@skymartinbrunt 1m
#madeleine McCann lawyer Isabel Duarte tells Sky News she believes ex-cop Goncalo Amaral is hiding the profits from his book.

martinbrunt ‏@skymartinbrunt 26s
#madeleine Kate McCann declines to comment on arrival. Lawyer for Mr Amaral asking judge to ban media "to preserve the memory of Madeleine."

The BBC on its BBC news website continuously publishes a 'Top 10' list of the 'most read' news stories on their site.

A few minutes ago their story on the McCann-Amaral libel trial was running 10th

ALSO

People are running riot with comments on the BT Yahoo News site:

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/madeleine-mccann-kate-attend-libel-hearing-010321561.html#pzMJgp5

There are now over 600 comments on their article - and they're being added at the rate of over 7 a minute

906 comments so far on this BT Yahoo news item:

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/madeleine-mccann-kate-attend-libel-hearing-010321561.html#pzMJgp5

Lots of quite defamatory comments being allowed, like this one:

Why wouldn't she answer the 48 questions put to her by police? Only liars need fear getting caught out. The truth remains the same no matter how many times you repeat it.

Hundreds of people giving the 'thumbs up' to this and other comments.

It's obvious there is a massive 'gap' between what the people actually think about this case and what the mainstream media are telling us to think

martinbrunt ‏@skymartinbrunt 55s
#madeleine Mr Amaral loses bid to have media excluded and libel trial under way. First witness is Susan Hubbard, friend and priest's wife

martinbrunt ‏@skymartinbrunt 2m
#madeleine Susan Hubbard says McCanns devastated by Amaral book which said Madeleine died accidentally and they had been negligent.
 
 
 
 
martinbrunt ‏@skymartinbrunt 2m
#madeleine Mrs Hubbard said McCanns had to use all their energy to defend themselves instead of searching for Madeleine




martinbrunt ‏@skymartinbrunt 2m
#madeleine Mrs Hubbard said McCanns devastated because book made everyone believe Madeleine was dead.

Miami Herald reporting the case, based on an Associated Press report:

Associated Press, 12.9.2013


LISBON, Portugal -- A Lisbon court has started hearing a libel case brought by the parents of missing British girl Madeleine McCann against a former Portuguese detective who published a book alleging they were involved in their daughter's disappearance.

The McCanns are seeking 1.2 million euros ($1.6 million) in damages from Goncalo Amaral, who was part of the police investigation into Madeleine's disappearance from a vacation home in Portugal's Algarve region in May 2007, days before her fourth birthday.

The McCanns' lawyer, Isabel Duarte, told reporters at the court Thursday the couple are seeking damages because Amaral's 2008 book defamed them. They say Madeleine was abducted.

Portuguese police closed the case in 2008 after failing to find out what happened to Madeleine, though British police are investigating what they say are new leads.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/09/12/3621926/portugal-court-hears-madeleine.html#storylink=cpy

-------------------------------------

BT Yahoo News update: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/madeleine-mccann-kate-attend-libel-hearing-010321561.html#pzMJgp5 

1,135 comments posted to date, new comments still being posted at more than 2 a minute

martinbrunt ‏@skymartinbrunt 1m
#madeleine Mrs Hubbard said TV documentary after the book made things worse, because viewers then bought more books.


martinbrunt ‏@skymartinbrunt 2m
#madeleine Mrs Hubbard said McCanns could not believe Mr Amaral was allowed to write his book "without any facts."

martinbrunt ‏@skymartinbrunt 11m
#madeleine Hubbard: actors who played Kate and Gerry in Portuguese documentary portrayed them after M vanished as "crazy, heavy drinkers"

martinbrunt ‏@skymartinbrunt 17m
#madeleine Documentary producer Emma Loach, friend of MCcanns, said Amaral's book and TV prog based on it had "devastating" effect on them.



martinbrunt ‏@skymartinbrunt 16m
#madeleine Loach: "Kate realised the people she needed help from now thought Madeleine was dead and they were implicated."



martinbrunt ‏@skymartinbrunt 14m
#madeleine Loach: book was published 3 days after Port police closed case saying no evidence of McCann involvement and "destroyed all that."



martinbrunt ‏@skymartinbrunt 12m
#madeleine Loach: TV documentary later made things worse because more than 2 million people watched it.

martinbrunt ‏@skymartinbrunt 4m
#madeleine Loach: McCanns have to monitor Internet use of twins Seam and Amelie to stop them finding out about book and Port TV documentary.


Added by Admin:

SKY News Report 6.17 - 6.23 tonight:

Summary of news item:


Recap of earlier news today:

• McCanns devasted
• Accused of ‘cover-up’ by ‘local police chief
• Court heard from 2 witnesses today

Then we had a report from Martin Brunt:

• Both witnesses said that the police chief’s accusations had a ‘devastating effect’
• The TV documentary made things worse
• Amaral had claimed that Madeleine had died ‘accidentally’
• The court heard from Susan Hubbard, whom Brunt described as ‘the wife of the former priest’
• Loach and Hubbard ‘couldn’t understand’ how Amaral was allowed to write and publish his book  
• The TV documentary made the McCanns and their friends ‘acting like crazy people, drinking heavily’

We then cut to an interview at the door of the court with the McCanns’ lawyer, Isabel; Duarte, conducted before the start of the day’s proceedings.

She was asked how much money Amaral had made from his book.

Answer: ‘We don’t know. It may never be found’.
Was he hiding it somewhere:

Answer: ‘We don’t know if he’s hiding it’

Asked again how much money he had made:

Answer: ‘I can’t say, there will be statements in court, you will hear in the court room’.

Asked once again, she declined to reply. She looked quite relaxed and was smiling.

Then it was back to Brunt who said that tomorrow the court would hear from:

• A London Solicitor (we presume that will be Anius McBride), and
• ‘A child psychologist’ and
• Susan Healy, ‘mother of Kate’.

Sorry if some of the quotes are not quite exact.

Singapore media now covering this story:

http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/world/story/mother-missing-british-girl-maddie-portugal-court-20130912

STRAITS TIMES

Published on Sep 12, 2013 - 11:14 PM

[ TWO PHOTOS - A combination of images created on April 25, 2012, shows an undated handout picture of missing British girl Madeleine McCann taken when she was three years-old (left) and a computer generated handout image released by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on April 25, 2012, showing an age progression picture of how police believe Madeleine would look like aged 9. Madeleine's mother was back in Portugal on Thursday, Sept 12, 2013, for the start of libel proceedings against a detective who has written a book about the case. -- FILE PHOTO: AFP / METROPOLITAN POLICE SERVICE / TERI BLYTHE ]


LISBON (AFP) - The mother of missing British girl Madeleine McCann was back in Portugal on Thursday for the start of libel proceedings against a detective who has written a book about the case.

Mrs Kate McCann and her husband Gerry are suing Goncalo Amaral in a Lisbon court for the book in which he argues Madeleine was killed accidentally and implicates her parents in her alleged 2007 death.

The McCanns have strongly denied the accusations and say the former inspector's claims have hampered the search for their daughter and exacerbated the anguish suffered by her relatives.

The McCanns' spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: "Kate and Gerry McCann remain very confident that they will win the case.

Christopher Morris article:

http://uk.tv.yahoo.com/daybreak-mccann-court-case-begin-over-ex-police-093100381.html

This morning's 'Daybreak' updated us on an issue which has been part of the public consciousness in the UK for several years now. The programme reported that Kate McCann, mother of the missing child Madeleine McCann will be attending a Portugese court later today as libel proceedings begin in the European nation against a former local police chief.

Goncalo Amaral published a book containing a series of allegations about Madeleine's disappearance. The majority of these allegations can still be viewed online, and essentially it is stated by Amaral that the public has been misled about the Madeleine McCann case, and that according to the evidence that he has collected, it is likely that this isn't a kidnapping case at all, and that Madeleine in fact died in the apartment that the McCanns were staying in on that fateful day in 2007.

The McCann family has claimed that Amaral's book has poisoned public opinion against them in Portugal, and that the book is not based on fact.

Meanwhile, 'Daybreak' reported that Kate McCann is unlikely to give evidence in the trial. Instead, the family's lawyer will outline the case when the hearing begins at a civil court in Lisbon on Thursday morning.

Mr. Amaral is expected to argue that under Portugese law he is completed entitled to make the claims that are contained in the book.

This will naturally provoke a strong reaction in people, both from those who believe and disbelieve what the McCanns have had to say about the disappearance of Madeleine. What can be said for certain, though, is that this case has dragged on for so long that it is incredibly hard to believe that any useful information is going to come to light at this point in time, at least with regard to finding Madeleine.

It seems phenomenally unlikely that a 4 year-old could have survived independently for six years since disappearing, and that no-one would have learned of her whereabouts.

Of course, Amaral's claims suggest that Madeleine's life ended some time ago.

In other news...

[SNIPPED]


Christopher Morris says: I watch too much television, have a keen interest in current affairs, and am a regular contributor to Yahoo on television, cinema, video games, technology and politics.

video here of Kate McCann speaking outside court today...........



http://www.itv.com/news/story/2013-09-12/madeleine-mccann-family-libel-trial-against-portugal-police-chief/

Mirror using the word 'disgraced'
 
 
McCann libel trial: Madeleine's mum Kate faces disgraced police chief over 'devastating' false claims

12 Sep 2013 21:35
 
A family friend said that instead of searching for missing Madeleine, the couple have had to use all their energy to defend themselves
 
 
 http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/mccann-libel-trial-madeleines-mum-2269479#ixzz2eiR6xlVJ