Search: Madeleine McCann
Kate and Gerry McCann have defended their decision to take legal action against a former senior Portuguese detective.
The McCanns announced at the weekend that they were suing Goncalo Amaral over his comments alleging that they were involved in their daughter Madeleine's disappearance.
Mr Amaral led the investigation into Madeleine's disappearance for five months before being removed from the case.
The couple, from Rothley, Leicestershire, said they had taken the step because of concerns that his comments could stop the public looking for Madeleine.
Mr McCann said: "We want to make it clear the reason we're taking that action is because we feel what he has been saying is very much detrimental to the search.
"The main tenet of what he's been saying is Madeleine is dead, and if people believe that there can't be an ongoing search. What we are certain about, from the information we have, is there is absolutely no evidence to suggest Madeleine has been seriously harmed. It's fundamental - without that evidence she's alive and the search is ongoing."
Madeleine was nearly four when she went missing from her family's holiday flat in Praia da Luz, southern Portugal, on May 3 2007 as her parents dined with friends nearby.
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Mr Amaral was in charge of the Portuguese police inquiry when Mr and Mrs McCann were made "arguidos", or formal suspects, in the case in September 2007. He was removed from the investigation the following month after criticising British police in a Portuguese newspaper interview. But he has gone on to make a number of allegations against the McCanns in a book called The Truth Of The Lie and in a Portuguese TV documentary.
Portuguese prosecutors shelved the case and lifted the couple's arguido status in July last year.
The McCanns, who strongly deny having any involvement in Madeleine's disappearance, are launching their legal action against Mr Amaral by applying for a gagging order at Lisbon's main civil court. Mr Amaral told Portuguese media he was planning to counter-sue Mr and Mrs McCann for defamation.
