Day 321: 19/03/2008 Wednesday

Day 321: 19/03/2008   Wednesday 

 

I think everyone must have heard the news today that Express Newspapers have published front page apologies to Kate and me and agreed damages of  £550,000 which will be paid in to Madeleines Fund. It gives us no joy that we had to take such action- we would rather have not had to put up with such distasteful, grotesque and blatantly untruthful coverage. Nevertheless we hope todays events will act as a springboard in advancing the search for Madeleine. The money will be used to aid the investigation. To read our full statement, please see the News and Press Releases in the News and Support section. 

 

 

Date Released: 19/03/2008 20:52:00

Statement from Madeleines Fund Board of Directors

 

'The directors of Madeleine's Fund welcome the settlement of Gerry and Kate's complaint against Express Newspapers, in particular the front page apologies for the grossly defamatory stories that were consistently published in recent months and the agreement reached on substantial damages.

 

It has been a great additional burden for Gerry and Kate to be repeatedly vilified in sections of the press. Such coverage was also a diversion for our campaign to find Madeleine.

 

We hope that such public apologies will not only bring some comfort to Gerry and Kate, but that they will re-emphasise the need for a renewed focus on the campaign.

 

The £550,000 damages from Express Newspapers will now be used fully within the stated spirit and aims of Madeleine's Fund.

 

The purpose of the Fund is to support Gerry and Kate specifically in the

search for Madeleine and her abductor(s).

 

The Fund will, therefore, continue to work to gather information to assist them in achieving their aim of bringing Madeleine home. We would, once again, urge any member of the public who still feels they may have useful information to come forward with it without delay

 

 

 

Attachments

WORD DOC 

Kate and Gerry Statement Express Newspapers

Date Released: 19/03/2008 11:00:00

 

We are pleased that Express Newspapers have today admitted the utter falsity of the numerous grotesque and grossly defamatory allegations that their titles published about us on a sustained basis over many months.

 

The exceptional publication of these apologies, together with today's statement of full apology in open Court before Mr Justice Eady, was the only just and proper response by Express Newspapers following our complaint. We also wish to place on record our thanks to Adam Tudor, from Carter Ruck. Today's result simply could not have been achieved without him

 

Express Newspapers, rightly acknowledge that we are innocent of all allegations that we may have been involved in Madeleine's abduction and WE would like to reiterate that there is absolutely no evidence that Madeleine is dead or has been seriously harmed.

 

We embarked on this course of action reluctantly, indeed with a heavy heart, as we did not wish the pursuit of it to become a distraction from our sole aim ? finding Madeleine. Indeed, as long ago as last autumn our lawyers approached Express Newspapers and urged them to show greater restraint in their reporting ? requests which went utterly unheeded.

 

The distress all this has caused members of our wider family, at a time of great emotional turmoil for them, was also a major factor in our action. Their pain over the loss of Madeleine has been compounded by having to witness the irresponsible and libellous reporting that we have successfully challenged today.

 

As a part of our settlement, Express Newspapers have also agreed to donate £550,000 to the Fund that was established to help find Madeleine. We feel it is entirely appropriate that the search for Madeleine will now benefit directly out of the wrongs committed against us as her parents.

 

We hope that the Portuguese authorities lift our arguido status in the very near future so that everyone can focus on finding our beautiful little girl, Madeleine.?