Gerry McCann was made a suspect in his daughter Madeleine's disappearance after a British expert said he should be investigated for 'homicide', a Portuguese court heard yesterday.

Criminal profiler Lee Rainbow recommended that police on the Algarve investigate the doctor and his wife Kate because of 'contradictions' in his statement.

The report by Mr Rainbow, of the National Policing Improvement Agency, was sent to Portugal in June 2007, a month after the three-year-old disappeared.

Kate and Gerry McCann outside court in Lisbon yesterday. They are suing Mr Amaral for libel over his allegations that the couple faked Madeleine's death

It was dramatically produced yesterday by lawyers for a disgraced Portuguese detective whose campaign of vilification the McCanns are trying to stop.

The couple want Gonzolo Amaral to be legally barred from accusing them of being involved in Madeleine's disappearance.

The detective was sacked from the investigation after he made an outspoken attack on English police, accusing them of failing to investigate the McCanns. He has since retired from the police force.

His lawyer Antonio Cabrita, reading from a Portuguese translation of the previously- confidential report, said: 'The family is a lead that should be followed.

The McCanns want Gonzolo Amaral (pictured yesterday) to be legally barred from accusing them of being involved in Madeleine's disappearance

'The contradictions in Gerald McCann's statement might lead us to suspect a homicide. This is a lead that should be investigated.'

The lawyer added: 'Portuguese police had only considered the abduction theory. It was British police who said they must consider homicide as well.'

Mr Cabrita did not outline what ' contradictions' had been found in Mr McCann's statements and refused to give any further details after the Lisbon hearing.

Mr Rainbow, 37, leads a team of five criminal profilers at the NPIA, and specialises in sex crimes and murders.

The Home Office agency, which describes itself as 'part of the police service', aims to improve police use of information, evidence and science and to support operations.

It is understood to have provided Portuguese police with a 'checklist' of how to proceed.

A spokesman said last night: 'In disappearance cases it is common for the NPIA to advise officers to consider the possibility of the involvement of family and close friends.

'This is good practice for investigating cases. The NPIA gave similar generic advice to Portuguese police.'

Mr Rainbow, who has worked on major investigations including the Ipswich prostitute murders and the disappearance of Shannon Matthews, did not say there was any evidence the McCanns were involved.

But his confidential report appears to have been a turning point in the Portuguese investigation.

Madeleine's distraught parents were named as official suspects a few weeks later, despite Portuguese police failing to find any evidence against them.

The report by Mr Rainbow, of the National Policing Improvement Agency, was sent to Portugal in June 2007, a month after three-year-old Madeleine disappeared

 

Mr and Mrs McCann, both 41, listened intently as Mr Cabrita said Mr Amaral should be allowed to repeat his claims that they were involved in Madeleine's disappearance.

The 50-year-old ex-detective has alleged in a new book that she died in a 'tragic accident' and her parents faked an abduction.

Lawyers for the McCanns say he is using the book and the court case to take 'revenge' on them for the end of his career.

Mr and Mrs McCann, from Rothley, Leicestershire, are suing Mr Amaral for libel over his allegations and are seeking £1.2million in damages and compensation.

They have won an injunction which bars him from repeating his allegations but he is trying to overturn it, claiming it affects his right to freedom of speech.

The hearing ended yesterday, and the judge will give her verdict next Thursday.

Kate McCann, a former GP, admitted last night that she had found it painful to listen to three days of evidence in the court. But she insisted the couple had been right to take legal action.

She said: 'I think this will truly help the search for Madeleine and that's why we have gone through with it. It hasn't been easy but if it helps, then we will go through anything.'

The McCann's are now enmeshed in the Portuguese legal system. Lotsa luck to them. Cases can grind on for years, even decades. I hope they have a lot of time to waste.

- Hal, Tucson, USA, 11/2/2010 4:34

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If they had looked after their children properly would they be in this situation?

What do you think?

- DS, Hamburg, 11/2/2010 4:16

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I am still very sorry for the McCann's but surely it is standard police practice to investigate and verify that they were not suspects ?

- Ian, Hong Kong, 11/2/2010 3:28

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It would have been remiss of them NOT to have looked at Kate & Gerry.

- Louise, Mid Glamorgan, South Wales, 11/2/2010 3:09

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Will the British press publish the outcome of this if Mr Amaral wins or will they be gagged by the Maccanns.

- Maureen, Liverpool, 11/2/2010 1:40

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This was only a suggestion, as it's often the case with missing children, it's usually someone they know, so the McCanns would have to be eliminated from enquiries. This does not mean they are guilty of anything.

- Barbara Doll, Dundee Girl & proud, 11/2/2010 0:48

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Why is the policeman and a TV station beeing taken to court. Did they abduct Madeleine.

- MaryM, Manchester, 11/2/2010 0:24

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This is hardly news the parents and relatives are always suspects in cases of missing children. This is the DM trying to make something out of nothing. It must be a slow news day.

- Steve, Worsley, 11/2/2010 0:22

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I have never understood why this couple were never prosecuted for leaving
Madeleine alone whilst they went off to a bar. I could just see the headline if this had been some couple from a local authority housing estate that had nipped off to the local pub. They would be prosecuted, the goverment would hold an inquiry in to the local Social Services and a minion would be identified for sacrificial slaughter. Instead they get sympathy. What is wrong with people? As Jim Royle would say "Sympathy my a**e". If they had not left her she could not have been abducted and are guilty of neglect.

- Peter, Skipton, Yorkshire, 11/2/2010 0:18

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the police have a duty to investigate all avenues especially in the disappearance of a child, this doesn't mean the mc canns are guilty, but i cant see the big story about this as im sure its normal procedure.

- tony, manchester, 11/2/2010 0:18

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Homicide doesn't exist n the UK, it's called murder.

- jim, peterborough, 11/2/2010 0:15

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so what?
"should be investigated" does not mean gulty - police has to try all possible versions.
McCann's were rooled out after investigation showed not a single point against them. The refusal to answer some tricky question is understandable - they felt they could be set up. How do you answer question "what time did you kill your daughter?'
if you did not?

- Victoria Smirnoff, London, UK, 11/2/2010 0:00

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Well done to the McCanns.
They have been pilloried here and abroad and still fight for the case to be investigated.
They have been through hell.
No parent would wish to endure the strain.
I wish them well.

- jim mulholland, glasgow, 10/2/2010 23:59

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omg- british police did say-- yes of course they did- but it did not mean anything
all police investigations start with close family- always did always will

get a proper news story

- PHIL, ANCHORSHOLME, 10/2/2010 23:55

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NEWS FEBRUARY 2010