Former police chief Goncalo Amaral who led the hunt for Madeleine McCann in Portugal plans to sue parents Kate and Gerry McCann for defamation.

Cop sues McCanns

Legal action over 'slur'

DROPPED: Amaral
DROPPED: Amaral

THE former police chief who led the hunt for Madeleine McCann in Portugal plans to sue parents Kate and Gerry for defamation.

Goncalo Amaral, 49, has hired a team of lawyers to prepare an action against the two doctors.

And the cop, dropped from the inquiry in October 2007 for criticising British police, says he will also seek damages from the McCann's spokesman Clarence Mitchell. His action comes weeks after the McCanns revealed they were suing Amaral over a book he wrote.

It claimed Madeleine, aged three when she disappeared in Praia da Luz in May 2007, died in an accident and her parents, both 40, concealed her death.

Amaral was found guilty recently of falsifying evidence in another missing child case.

The McCanns said: "Any legal action will be defended."

We are No1 for Videos
Latest news stories from the News of the World
JOHN TERRY'S SH*GGING & GAGGING John Terry spends a fortune hiding FOUR MORE lovers
JT IS NAMED OVER £137 FRAUD CASE Shamed star will be named in friend Faisal Madani's court case
John Terry thinks it's Orl over... it is now! John Terry bedded Big Brother star Orliath while Toni was pregnant.
'Cruel Wayne ditched me for a gold digger' Wayne Bridge dumped Sam Ramplin for Vanessa Perroncel
Win a romantic holiday for two to CUBA Show your love this Valentine's and scoop this awesome prize.
SEX WITH JOHN TERRY ONLY LASTED 12 MINUTES Vanessa Perroncel's pals circulate stories about disgraced footballer.
HOWAY THE PUD Geordies spend more on Yorkshire puddings than families IN Yorkshire.
MYSTERY OF PHONE NAB THUG Thug caught by mobile pic after punching a nurse unconscious.
SERIAL WAG GOT FIXTURE LISTS TO FIND HER NEXT MAN Vanessa Perroncel sent coded messages and naked pictures to JT.
AFTER ALL THIS HE'S STILL DAD OF THE YEAR Sauce bosses WON'T take title away from John Terry.