'HE WANTS TO SQUEEZE EVERY PENNY' Cop who led initial hunt for Madeleine McCann shamelessly vows to ‘clean out’ her parents by suing them for damaging his reputation

The McCanns won a libel case against Goncalo Amaral in 2015 after he claimed they covered up Maddie's death, but the decision was later overturned
EXCLUSIVE
By Alex Diaz
15th April 2017, 11:41 pm

THE detective who led the initial hunt for Madeleine McCann has shamelessly vowed to “clean out” her parents by suing them for damaging his reputation.

Goncalo Amaral, 57, wrote a book claiming Maddie died at the McCanns’ holiday home in Praia da Luz and Kate and Gerry covered it up.

Goncalo Amaral, 57, wrote a book claiming Maddie died 

at the McCanns’ holiday home in Praia da Luz

The grief-stricken parents won a libel case against the now-retired cop over his allegations in 2015 — but the decision was overturned on appeal and later upheld by another Portuguese court.

It means the McCanns are now unable to take the case any further and Amaral is able to counter-sue the couple for damages.

The dad of three has already put in a claim for 10,000 euros , around £8,500, to cover legal costs.

Detective also claimed that Kate and Gerry covered it up

However, the decision was later overturned and Amaral has now 

put forward a claim for 10,000 euros , around £8,500

It comes as Kate and Gerry approach the tenth anniversary 

of Maddie’s disappearance next month

His publisher and a firm behind a DVD on the case also want 5,000 euros each.

But the ex-cop, who was out enjoying a beer in the sun on Friday, could claim tens of thousands more.

A source said: “Amaral holds the key to making life financially very tough for the McCanns.

“He has told friends he intends to do just that. He wants to squeeze every penny he possibly can out of them, clean them out. He has no shame at all.

“He doesn’t believe they need the money to fund the search for Maddie as he is certain they know what happened to her.

“He is looking to deplete the Maddie fund at a time when they need all the money they can get.

“On top of all that, Kate and Gerry will be asked to pay a large legal costs bill for their case that ended in defeat for them.”

The ex-cop, snapped enjoying a beer on Friday, 

could claim tens of thousands more

He is also still working on his second book on the 

case despite claims to the contrary

Amaral 'doesn't believe' Kate and Gerry need the money 

to fund the search for Maddie

A source said 'Amaral holds the key to making life 

financially very tough for the McCanns'

Amaral may do interviews on May 3, the anniversary 

of Maddie’s disappearance

The financial blow for Kate and Gerry comes as they approach the tenth anniversary of Maddie’s disappearance next month.

And in a further twist, The Sun on Sunday can reveal Amaral is still working on his second book on the case despite claims to the contrary.

The source said: “Amaral says the second book will be even more explosive.

“Since writing the first his mind has been working overtime coming up with all sorts of wild theories.”

Approached in Lisbon, Amaral said: “I don’t have to explain anything to anyone.”

But he added that he may do interviews on May 3, the anniversary of Maddie’s disappearance.


The Sun

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