In 2007, Kate and Gerry McCann left their child, Madeline McCann, 3 years old, and their 2 year old twins alone in a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in the Algarve, to go out for dinner with their friends in a nearby tapas bar and upon their return to the apartment found that Madeleine had vanished.

13 years and £12 million worth of tax payer’s money later, the McCann’s are taking legal action against Portugal, which, according to the Daily Star stems from a “feud with former detective Gonçalo Amaral, 60, who led the initial police hunt for Madeleine and in a best-selling book later accused the couple of covering up her death”.

The McCann’ went on to sue Mr Amaral for libel, stating that the global search for their daughter was obstructed by his claim Madeleine was dead. This resulted in the decision to award them damages and costs totalling £436,000 to be overturned on appeal, justified by the fact that the detective was entitled to express his opinions under freedom of speech, a decision that was ratified by the highest authority in the country, Portugal’s Supreme Court.

The Daily Star wrote that the McCann’s are now wanting to appeal against that judgement in Strasbourg, France, in the European Court Of Human Rights and that in the coming months a judge is to assess the case. Adding that a spokesman for the European Court Of Human Rights said “Before the end of the year there will be a preliminary examination by the court regarding the admissibility of the application”.

This, if the McCanns win, could result in the Portuguese nation to be ordered to pay a cash settlement.

The article also mentions that a source close to the UK police probe into Madeleine’s disappearance could fuel resentment. “Now the possibility of having to pay money to a couple, who – in many locals’ eyes – left their child to fate while they went out, could cause resentment”.

The Daily Star attempted to contact the McCann’s who said they were unavailable for comment.