Madeleine McCann’s parents Kate and Gerry lose third libel battle to silence cop who claimed they faked her kidnap
MADDIE McCann's parents have lost a third and 'final' appeal to silence a policeman who oversaw the hunt for their daughter, it is reported.
Portugal's highest court dismissed Gerry and Kate's bid to overturn the decision to uphold Goncalo Amaral's right to publish a tell-all book.
The Truth Of The Lie alleged the youngster had died and Kate and Gerry McCann covered it up.
But Supreme Court judge Dr Jorge Manuel Roque Nogueira dismissed the McCann's claim on Wednesday, reported today.
It is the third time a Portuguese court has upheld Amaral's right to freedom of expression.
most read in news
In a nine-page legal complaint the McCanns had sought to have the ruling quashed, accusing the Portuguese judges of “contradictions” and acting “frivolously”.
There is no higher Portuguese court to which Maddie's parents can now take their claim.
In the book it is claimed Maddie died in the family’s holiday flat in Praia Da Luz and her parents faked her abduction to cover up the tragedy.
The book was released just three days after Gerry and Kate were told their status as formal suspects had been lifted in July 2008.
Amaral is understood to have earned £344,000 from his book before it was initially banned.
The McCanns could now face a hefty legal bill after the court wrangle with Amaral.
Speaking after the court found in favour of the Portuguese ex-cop last month a family friend labelled the decision "disappointing".
They told The Sun: “It was never about winning big libel damages but all about them silencing him to stop them spouting his untruthful and malicious lies.
“It has always been more of a personal battle and they are bitterly disappointed they have lost but not totally surprised.”
Three-year-old Maddie disappeared from her holiday apartment on the Algarve as her parents ate at a nearby restaurant in 2007.
Millions of pounds have been injected into the hunt for the missing tot since but she has never been found.
Earlier this month it was announced British police were being handed more money to probe an "important" new lead.
More to follow
For the latest news on this story keep checking back at Sun Online, where we will bring you live updates as soon as they happen, before anyone else.
Like us on Facebook at , and follow us from our main Twitter account at , where we will bring you this story and all the rest of the top news and exclusives of the day.
is your go to destination for the best celebrity news, football news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video