You are in > manchester.com  > News > Tabloids print 'unprecedented' front-page McCann apologies

Tabloids print 'unprecedented' front-page McCann apologies

19/03/2008

Two tabloid newspapers printed front-page apologies to the parents of missing Madeleine McCann today after settling a libel case brought against them.

The Daily Star and the Daily Express both featured the headline "Kate and Gerry McCann: Sorry" and their Sunday equivalents are expected to do the same this weekend.

It follows what lawyers for the McCanns described as over 100 "grossly defamatory" articles suggesting they may have been responsible to the disappearance of their four-year-old daughter from the Portuguese holiday resort of Praia da Luz on May 3rd 2007.

Madeleine has not been seen since then despite the frenzied media campaign which publicised her disappearance.

In September Mr and Mrs McCann, from Rothley in Leicestershire, were named 'arguido' suspects in the case, prompting a wave of tabloid reports implying they may have had a hand in Madeleine's abduction.

Today's Express and Star, both owned by Express Newspapers, apologised "wholeheartedly" for suggesting they may have covered up "the death of their daughter Madeleine".

"We now recognise that such a suggestion is absolutely untrue and that Kate and Gerry are completely innocent of any involvement in their daughter's disappearance," the Star said in its front-page apology.

Express Newspapers has made a "substantial donation" to the Madeleine Fund and lawyers representing the firm are expected to make an apology to the high court.