Madeleine McCann: Granddad's delight as newspapers finally apologise

Mar 19 2008

MADELEINE McCann’s family today said they were delighted at apologies from two national newspapers.

The Daily Express and Daily Star used their front pages to say sorry to Kate and Gerry McCann for suggesting they caused their daughter’s death.

Kate’s father, Brian Healy, speaking from his Allerton home today, said it would ease the “huge strain” on the family caused by the false allegations.

Mr Healy, 68, said: “I haven’t spoken to them yet, but I know they will be chuffed and happy. This has placed a huge strain on the entire family.

“It was all about selling newspapers. This will bring them some comfort.”

In front page stories today, both papers agreed to pay a “very substantial” sum to the Find Madeleine fund.

Apologies are also expected to follow this weekend in the Sunday Express and the Star on Sunday.

The McCanns’ spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: “An agreement has been reached with Express Newspapers, but I cannot go into detail before a hearing at the high court.”

A friend of the McCanns said: “It will not bring Madeleine back, but if the resolution of this case helps to find her then all well and good.”

The apology in today’s Daily Express read: “We do so because we accept that a number of articles in the newspaper have suggested that the couple caused the death of their missing daughter Madeleine and then covered it up.

“We acknowledge that there is no evidence whatsoever to support this theory and that Kate and Gerry are completely innocent of any involvement in their daughter’s disappearance.

“We trust that the suspicion that has clouded their lives for many months will soon be lifted.

“As an expression of its regret, the Daily Express has now paid a very substantial sum into the Madeleine Fund and we promise to do all in our power to help efforts to find her.

“Kate and Gerry, we are truly sorry to have added to your distress.

“We assure you that we hope Madeleine will one day be found alive and well and will be restored to her loving family.”

The Daily Star published a similarly- worded apology.

A spokesman for the Daily Express said: “We have nothing to add to what will be said in court and in our titles.”

Madeleine, who disappeared shortly before her fourth birthday, went missing from her family’s holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal last May while her parents ate dinner nearbyat a nearby tapas bar with friends.

Kate and Gerry remain official suspects in the Portuguese police investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance last May, but they strenuously protest their innocence.