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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 2007 Daily Mail “Portuguese police attack McCanns for 'interfering' in Madeleine inquiry“.

A senior police officer investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann has launched an astonishing attack on her parents for jeopardising the inquiry. He accused Kate and Gerry McCann, both official suspects in the case, of interfering with "constant interruptions and distractions". The tirade from a senior Portuguese inspector, speaking on condition of anonymity, follows the revelation that Gordon Brown has been approached by Mr McCann to intervene on their behalf in the case.

Kate and Gerry McCann today with their new spokesman Clarence Mitchell

The McCanns have sent a series of emails to Mr Brown in the past few days, insisting they are innocent and pleading for help. Their new spokesman Clarence Mitchell quit his job yesterday as a senior Whitehall civil servant to help clear their names and is said to be keeping "lines of communication" open with the Government. Former BBC reporter Mitchell said today about his appointment: "I am extremely grateful to Kate and Gerry for asking me to return to become their official spokesman. "When the proposal was put to me with the full support of the legal team and their financial backers, I had absolutely no hesitation in accepting it.

Portuguese police chief: attacked 'constant interruptions and distractions'

He said he had to give up his job because his position in the Civil Service working with the Government became untenable "from the moment I accepted the role". He said: "To speak on their behalf, therefore, I have resigned from my role as director of the Central Office of Information's media monitoring unit within the Cabinet Office in Whitehall."

Madeline McCann: Went missing in Portugal

But a senior Portuguese officer has said police are "fed up" and feared the involvement of high-profile politicians could damage the inquiry. He said: "The Portuguese police are not happy with the constant interruptions in this case. It is amazing to me that people in high positions are getting involved. "I can't think of any case in Portugal where this has happened. Doesn't Gordon Brown have a job to do? Why is he getting involved in a police investigation? We have a job to do and need space in which to do it." He added: "Under Portuguese law, the McCanns are innocent until proven guilty, so there's no need for all of this."

The exasperation with the couple was further underlined by a warning that Mrs McCann could be prosecuted for allegedly ignoring Portugese secrecy laws by revealing details of her interrogation over two days earlier this month. Portuguese detectives are convinced that details of the interview - including how police seized Mrs McCann's Bible believing that it would help to indicate her state of mind - could only have come from her.

Early involvement: The McCanns' friend Jill Renwick solicited the support of Gordon Brown through his brother John

In the weeks after Madeleine vanished from her family's apartment in Praia da Luz on 3 May, Mr Brown was enlisted to support the McCanns, but long before they were named as suspects. Mr Mitchell, in a statement, explained he was quitting his job as Director of the Central Office of Informations Media Monitoring Unit because he was convinced of the McCanns' innnocence. He had previously assisted them in Portugal when sent there by the Foreign Office in the early days of the hunt for Madeleine. He said: "Clearly, given the inter-governmental sensitivity surrounding Kate and Gerry's case, my position as an impartial civil servant became untenable. "I feel so strongly that they are the innocent victims of a heinous crime that I am prepared to forego my career in Government service to assist them. "I will simply be representing Kate and Gerry as a private individual, one who believes utterly that they are innocent of any involvement in the disappearance, let alone the death, of their daughter Madeleine."

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