Express- 'Gerry faces ex-policeman over false allegations;

**bb1** Fri Sep 27, 2013 11:01 am

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/432468/Gerry-McCann-to-face-Portuguese-police-chief-over-lies-of-Madeleine-s-abduction

Gerry McCann to face Portuguese police chief over lies of Madeleine's abduction

GERRY MCCANN will today come face to face with the Portuguese police chief who falsely accused him and wife Kate of covering up their daughter Madeleine’s death.

Gerry, 45, is expected to give evidence at a £1million libel trial over Goncalo Amaral’s “awful, malicious lies” that the missing youngster died in their Algarve holiday apartment in May 2007.

The consultant cardiologist hopes to take to the witness box in Portugal to accuse Mr Amaral of hindering the search for Madeleine with claims in a book that the McCanns faked her abduction to cover up her death.

Gerry also intends to spell out the pain and anguish the former detective’s “awful, malicious lies” have caused his family.

Gerry has submitted a request to be heard as a witness to the court in Lisbon where the case is held.

Judge Maria Emilia Melo e Castro must approve the request before the trial restarts today.

Gerry’s sister Trish Cameron has already been confirmed as a witness. Kate McCann attended the start of the case a fortnight ago with her mother Susan Healy and cousin Michael Corner, but she will not be present today.

Mrs Healy was unable to give evidence when the case was held up by a personal emergency for the judge.

Gerry is thought to have made his request after that setback. Previously complainants in civil cases in Portugal were unable to give evidence but the law has now changed.

The McCanns’ spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: “Gerry McCann will be attending court and is hoping to give evidence if the court permits it.”

A source close to the family added: “Gerry wants to make it quite clear to the judge the absolute damage of what Mr Amaral has written has done in the search for Madeleine, and the pain his lies have caused not only him, Kate and their twins but the wider family.

“They brought the libel action against Mr Amaral way before the change in the law in July and there is some confusion as to whether the new ruling applies to them.

“That is why Gerry is bringing his sister out with him. If he can’t give evidence, Trish will speak on behalf of Kate and Gerry.”

The McCanns are suing Mr Amaral, 56, over his 2008 book The Truth Of The Lie. They have also launched libel proceedings at Lisbon’s Palace of Justice against his publishers and a TV channel which broadcast a documentary based on his claims.

Mr Amaral was in charge of the investigation into the disappearance of three-year-old Madeleine for the vital first months but was removed for criticising British police.

Michael Wright, husband of Kate’s cousin Anne-Marie, told the hearing last week that he believed Mr Amaral’s “smears” fuelled internet kidnap threats against Madeleine’s twin siblings Sean and Amelie, now eight.

Mr Amaral denies defamation and claims everything in his book is in files which the police have made public.

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Incidentally, why isn't Guedes making it clear in her 'court reports' that defence lawyers are trying to intimidate female witnesses? She isn't the only observer in court.....