The parents of missing Madeleine McCann will not take legal action over a series of alleged smears against them in the Portuguese media, a family spokeswoman has said.
But the couple are said to be incensed over alleged claims about their daughter’s disappearance in the local media.
The target of their anger is reportedly high-profile television journalist Sandra Felgueiras.
Kate and Gerry McCann’s spokeswoman Justine McGuinness stated the pair were not considering legal action against Ms Felgueiras.
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She said: “Kate and Gerry are not planning to sue anyone. They are focused on finding Madeleine.”
Reports said the couple had requested a tape of Ms Felgueiras’s comments, and a source close to the family told reporters the pair were hard-working, law-abiding professionals and it was important to protect their reputations.
Felgueiras denied branding either of the McCanns a “murderer”.
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She said: “I never said that and I never insinuated anything like that. I never in my life put anyone under suspicion but just told viewers that police are investigating the possibility that Madeleine has died and that it is murder or an accident.
“I’m absolutely sure that everything I said was only what the police were telling us concerning this new lead of the investigation.
“If the McCanns presume that this is an accusation against them, then that is their assumption, not mine. My conscience is completely clear.”
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