Kate And Gerry McCann have lost a libel case they brought against a former Portuguese police officer who claimed they had something to do with the disappearance of their daughter, Madelaine.

Her parents, who live in Leicestershire, went to court in Portugal after former police officer Goncalo Amaral wrote in a book that he believed they had had something to do with the disappearance ten years ago.

They won and courts said the officer should pay them half a million euros damages.

Mr Amaral appealed, and now Portugal's supreme court has said the McCann's can't sue the officer for libel because his allegations are protected by freedom of expression laws and are not deemed to be abusive.

Portugal's Supreme Court has said his allegations are covered under freedom of expression laws and were not abusive.

The ruling means a book by Mr Amaral, which mentions the claims and was previously removed from sale, can now be sold once again.

Madelaine went missing in 2007 and despite years of extensive searches, international police help and forensic work, no trace of her has been found.