Madeleine McCann parents 'deeply upset' at sightings dossier
Madeleine McCann's parents say Portuguese decision to release sightings dossier of missing daughter 'incomprehensible'
Saturday, 06, Mar 2010 04:19
By Matthew Champion.
The parents of Madeleine McCann have condemned a decision by officials in Portugal to release thousands of files and dozens of sightings of their missing daughter to UK media as "incomprehensible and particularly upsetting".
Last week the public prosecutor in Portugal agreed to a request by newspapers in Britain to release a 2,000 page dossier of potential sightings of Madeleine, who was three when she disappeared from her parents' holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, the Algarve, in May 2007.
"Disclosing such information publicly greatly jeopardises the search for Madeleine and puts witnesses and innocent members of the general public at risk (as well as causing them great anxiety)," a statement from Kate and Gerry McCann, published on findmadeleine.com, said.
"Release and publication of information in this manner also potentially compromises future investigations. It is difficult to see how anyone benefits from this week's actions."
Mr and Mrs McCann, from Rothley, Leicestershire, are also demanding assurances from Portuguese police that such a disclosure of evidence will never happen again.
"We also urge each individual working for the media to consider their own personal responsibility - to put commercial interests aside occasionally and to bear in mind the potential consequences of their actions, especially when people's lives and wellbeing are at risk," their statement added.
"We are incredibly grateful to all those who continue to support us in our search for Madeleine. During weeks such as these, it is invaluable to know that we are not facing this difficult journey alone."