The 39-year-old cardiologist lost his cool during a tense encounter on a
prime-time current affairs programme. When repeatedly questioned about the
police investigation into four-year-old Madeleine's disappearance, he stood up,
removed his microphone and walked off the set.
An exhausted-looking Mrs McCann briefly tried to stop him before shifting
uncomfortably in her seat and defending his behaviour. It is the first time
that Mr McCann has publicly vented his frustration at the speculation
surrounding his daughter's disappearance.
The couple, from Rothley, Leics, were interviewed by Jordi Gonzalez on the
weekly programme La Noria on Telecinco. Mrs McCann sat holding Madeleine's
favourite toy, Cuddle Cat, but the mood turned sour halfway through the
interview when Mr McCann was asked about reports that traces of blood were
found in the couple's apartment.
Gonzalez asked the McCanns: "You were the last people to see Madeleine
alive, is that correct?"
Mr McCann replied: "That's part of the investigation and we are not going
to divulge anything that might get in the way of the investigation."
In response, the presenter said: "The investigation took a new turn this
month when traces of blood were discovered in the room. When you heard that how
did you react?"
It was at this point that Mr McCann snapped and left the room, adding:
"You have to talk to the police."
Glaring at Gonzalez, he said: "Do you know what? This is all
investigation, all these questions are about the investigation and we cannot
comment."
As he walked off, Mrs McCann reassured the presenter that he had not stepped
out of line. "It is just pressure, don't worry," she told him.
"It is difficult for him when we are asked about the investigation because
we can't talk about it. It is very frustrating. There is so much written that
is not true."
After calming down, Mr McCann apologised and returned to finish off the
interview, which was filmed last Thursday at the family's villa in Praia da
Luz, the Algarve
resort town where Madeleine disappeared 118 days ago.
The full encounter was broadcast on Spanish television on Saturday night.
Justine McGuinness, the couple's spokesman, defended Mr McCann. "It was a long
interview in a very hot room," she said. "They were asked a series of
questions about the investigation despite the fact that all the journalists had
been told the McCanns cannot answer questions about it. They are not allowed to
under Portuguese law.
"Gerry gets frustrated when he gets repeatedly asked about the
investigation. He apologised when he came back in and he is normally incredibly
gracious."
But a spokesman for La Noria said the McCanns had been warned about the style
of questions that would be asked.
Yesterday, the couple were also forced to defend their relationship after Mr
McCann attended church in Praia da Luz without his wife on Sunday. She went to
an English-speaking service the night before but Mrs McGuinness said Mr McCann
did not go then because he had arrived in Portugal
late that day after speaking in Edinburgh. |
