Gerry and Kate McCann

[meglet]

The McCanns have won damages for hundreds of "grossly defamatory" articles by 4 major newspapers, especially Express Newspapers, with prominent apolgies expected.

I despise the press in this country and think they are an absolute disgrace to Britain. The lies they print often go unchallenged as this just makes things worse (see Heather Mills) and the subsequent apologies are normally hidden on page 27.

Well done Kate and Gerry.

[daffy654]

I've just been reading about this. I was quite surprised as I have previously not heard anything about them suing the papers. Maybe people will think twice about accusing them of being involved in their daughter's disappearance now.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7303801.stm

[Theland1]

I've been accused on here of being illogical and irrational.
Hmmmmm! I wonder?

[daffy654]

I'm not sure what you mean by that Theland???

[meglet]

Your point, Legend?

[meglet]

Threads crossed.

It was stated on BBc news that the money will go to the Find Maddie Fund.

[meglet]

They have not taken any money from the fund to pay their mortgage since they were made official suspects. And I did not have a problem that they did so. They needed to concentrate their efforts on ensuring that their missing daughter was kept in the media spotlight, not working to pay their bills.

And I don't think comparisons with Shannon are fair at this point, seeing as the full details of her abduction are yet to be revealed.

[meglet]

Inaccurate reporting and reporting hearsay and opinion as fact

equals

"confiicting stories"

See my question above re British press.

[starmack]

Absolutely delighted. Didnt know this til I read it here. Have always defended the family in these columns.

The Keystone Cops in Portugal will hopefully sit up and take notice. What a system: If you are accused you cannot talk to the papers but the papers van be briefed by police off the record all day long. What a joke in a European democracy.

[meglet]

Fair enough. One further point though - their friends also left their children in exactly the same circumstances. And it could be argued that their evidence was given to show themselves in a better light. No-one condones the McCann's behaviour for leaving them however I feel they have been made into the "story" in order to sell newpapers.

[meglet]

Legend, posting a question and then leaving it all of 2 minutes before posting "we're still waiting" is not called for.