Madeleine parents back in Portugal

12 April 2012

Kate McCann has returned to Portugal for the first time since being quizzed by police over her daughter Madeleine's disappearance.

Mrs McCann and her husband Gerry went to Lisbon to update their lawyers on the search for their daughter, who was three when she went missing in the resort of Praia da Luz in May 2007.

The couple's spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: "Obviously, this is Kate's first return to Portugal since Madeleine's abduction and whilst this is undoubtedly difficult for her she remains determined to do whatever is necessary to assist in the search for her daughter."

One of the topics to be discussed will be the recent injunction against further publication of a book by former Portuguese police detective Goncalo Amaral. Mr Amaral was involved in the initial investigation but was later taken off the case.

In his book The Truth of the Lie he claims that Madeleine is dead and questions the McCanns' account that she was taken while they were eating with friends nearby.

Earlier this month a Portuguese judge banned further sale or publication of the book. The injunction meant Amaral had to ensure that all unsold copies of the book were removed from shops and warehouses across Europe.

The injunction also banned him from repeating his claims about Madeleine or her parents.

At one point Portuguese police made Kate and Gerry McCann "arguidos", or formal suspects, in their daughter's disappearance. They were questioned by detectives but their arguidos status was later lifted.

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