Hot on Facebook

Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Maddy 'Suspect' Sues UK Media

Record libel suit rocks major outlets

By Peter Fearon, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 14, 2008 4:19 AM CDT

(Newser) – A former suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann is suing 12 British news organizations for libel. It's the largest number of claims ever against British media concerning a single issue, reports the Guardian. Robert Murat lived near the Portuguese vacation apartment where the McCanns were staying when the 3-year-old tyke disappeared, and he became the subject of intense police and media scrutiny.

The suit includes some of the biggest British outlets, including Sky News, the Daily Express, the Daily Mirror, News of the World, and the Sun. It's the second libel case arising from the tragedy. Last month, the Express paid a $1 million settlement to Maddy's parents for suggesting they were responsible for their daughter's disappearance.

Portuguese police investigators are seen at the home of 34 year old Briton Robert Murat, then a suspect in the disappearance of 4-year-old Madeleine McCann. Murat is suing 12 British news organizations... (AP Photo/Carlos Cesar)

Robert Murat, once a suspect in the disappearance of 4-year-old Madeleine McCann, is suing 12 British media organizations for libel. (Getty Images)

Missing 4-year-old child Madeleine McCann. A man once suspected in her disappearance is suing 12 British news organizations for libel. (AP Photo/Everton FC,HO)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

McCanns Hid Maddy's Death, Cop Tells Court

Dogs found scent of corpse, according to libel case defense

(NEWSER) - The parents of missing British toddler Madeleine McCann covered up her accidental death during a Portugal vacation then faked a kidnapping story, a detective testified in a Lisbon court yesterday. The testimony was presented in response to a libel suit brought by Maddy's parents seeking damages for a best-selling book written by former lead investigator Goncalo Amaral. Kate and Gerry McCann were eventually cleared of wrongdoing by authorities when the attorney general declared there was no evidence against them. More»

Video Appeal Renews Maddy Search

Message accompanies interviews by Kate McCann

(NEWSER) - A video designed to go viral is an appeal to the friends and associates of Madeleine McCann's kidnapper, saying, "It is never too late to do the right thing." The video, released tonight, includes images of what Maddy—who was 3 when she went missing in 2007—might look like now. "This is about hope, it’s about collective hope," the head of the British agency spearheading the effort tells the Times of London . "I believe this message will deliver answers for us." More»

Maddy Suspect Asked About Her 'New Daughter'

Calls flood in after request for tips about Australian woman

(NEWSER) - Private investigators working for Madeleine McCann's parents have received “hundreds of calls” from people with information about a woman who may be involved in the child’s disappearance, the Telegraph reports. A witness said the woman, described as a Victoria Beckham lookalike with an Australian accent, was pacing and looking agitated outside the Port Olimpic Marina in Barcelona 72 hours after Maddy’s disappearance. More»

Maddy's Parents Release Video in New Plea

Spunky toddler cuts up with baby brothers in heartbreaking new footage

(NEWSER) - The parents of missing toddler Maddy McCann have released heartbreaking new footage of their daughter in a new plea to the public to help in the search for her, reports the Independent. The scenes reveal a fun-loving, spunky kid playing with her siblings, showing off new pink shoes and donning a ballerina outfit with wings. "Christmas is a time for children. Please help bring our daughter back," says the plea at the end of the tape, and adds a phone number to call with information. More»

Portugal Cops End Maddy Investigation

Officials cite lack of evidence in case of child missing since '07

(NEWSER) - After 14 months, Portuguese police officially ended their investigation into the 2007 disappearance of 3-year old British girl Madeleine McCann, the BBC reports. A lack of evidence has brought the case—which began after Madeleine disappeared from a vacation apartment—to a standstill, Portugal's attorney general said. Madeleine's mother and father are no longer considered suspects. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Maddy 'Suspect' Sues UK Media

Record libel suit rocks major outlets

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Madeleine McCann • libel • Robert Murat • Gerry McCann • Kate McCann • defamation • Praia da Luz • Find Madeleine Fund • British media • British tabloids

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

McCanns Hid Maddy's Death, Cop Tells Court

Dogs found scent of corpse, according to libel case defense

Video Appeal Renews Maddy Search

Message accompanies interviews by Kate McCann

Maddy Suspect Asked About Her 'New Daughter'

Calls flood in after request for tips about Australian woman

Maddy's Parents Release Video in New Plea

Spunky toddler cuts up with baby brothers in heartbreaking new footage

Portugal Cops End Maddy Investigation

Officials cite lack of evidence in case of child missing since '07

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

Maddy 'Suspect' Sues UK Media

Record libel suit rocks major outlets

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Madeleine McCann • libel • Robert Murat • Gerry McCann • Kate McCann • defamation • Praia da Luz • Find Madeleine Fund • British media • British tabloids

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

McCanns Hid Maddy's Death, Cop Tells Court

Dogs found scent of corpse, according to libel case defense

Video Appeal Renews Maddy Search

Message accompanies interviews by Kate McCann

Maddy Suspect Asked About Her 'New Daughter'

Calls flood in after request for tips about Australian woman

Maddy's Parents Release Video in New Plea

Spunky toddler cuts up with baby brothers in heartbreaking new footage

Portugal Cops End Maddy Investigation

Officials cite lack of evidence in case of child missing since '07

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?