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[This edited version of the report has been prepared by Dr Robert N Moles]

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Settlement of defamation action: this is the report of the settlement of the defamation action concerning the McCann family in respect of publications which have cast aspersions upon their inegrity

18 September BBC “Madeleine search 'must be focus'”

The new spokesman for the parents of missing Madeleine McCann has called for the focus of the investigation to return to finding the four-year-old. Clarence Mitchell attacked the "rampant, unfounded and inaccurate speculation of recent days". He said the McCanns were "innocent victims of a heinous crime" after Madeleine disappeared on 3 May from Praia da Luz, Portugal. Gerry and Kate McCann have been named as official suspects in the case. Mr Mitchell, a former BBC journalist, said there were "entirely innocent explanations for anything the police may have found during their inquiries". He said he had resigned from his Cabinet Office job to act as the McCanns' spokesman, because he "feels so strongly" the couple were innocent. Mr Mitchell is the former director of the Central Office of Information's media monitoring operation. He was sent to Portugal by the Foreign Office earlier this year to advise the McCanns after Madeleine went missing.

'Ludicrous'

"During that time, I saw or heard nothing that gave me cause for concern or any suspicion," he said. "All I witnessed was a loving family that had been plunged into a dreadful situation and two parents trying to cope amidst their loss. "To suggest that they somehow harmed Madeleine, accidentally or otherwise, is as ludicrous as nonsensical." "The focus must be the child at the very centre of all this. Kate and Gerry are urging everyone to keep looking... as they still firmly believe that she still could be alive." He added the McCanns were happy to continue to cooperate with the Portuguese authorities and would return to the country if requested by police.

The McCanns, from Rothley, Leicestershire, are being advised by Michael Caplan QC, who fought efforts to extradite General Pinochet. They were given "arguido" status by Portuguese police earlier this month, making them official suspects in Madeleine's disappearance. Portuguese prosecutors have handed a judge the files on the case, who has 10 days to make a decision on its contents. Mr McCann, a consultant cardiologist, is on unpaid leave and his wife has confirmed she does not yet plan to return to work as a locum doctor

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