Portugal NewsRobert Murat ‘vindicated’19/7/2008
British ex-pat Robert Murat has received £600,000 (or €750,000) after his lawyers struck a deal at the High Court in London on Thursday with several British newspapers. The 34-year old, declared an arquido or person of interest to the case 14 months ago, also received an apology from the newspapers over allegations they made regarding his private life since May 2007. Included in the settlement are Michaela Wulczach and Sergey Malinka, who were similarly victims of some unscrupulous reports. In the meantime, the Attorney-General has promised “a solution” to the case early next week, a term which observers say indicates the case will be closed and the arguido status of Robert Murat, along with Kate and Gerry McCann, lifted.
Last April, Robert Murat launched legal action against 11 newspapers and one broadcaster in what was the highest number of claims ever made against different British media in the same case.
Eight newspapers were specifically targeted, while three others were said to have been “peripheral” to the case.
In their April statement, his lawyers had named the Sun, Daily Express, Sunday Express, Daily Star, Daily Mail, London Evening Standard, Metro, Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror, News of the World and the Scotsman.
Speaking from outside the High Court on Thursday morning, Mr Murat said: “The newspapers in this case brought about the total and utter devastation of my and my family’s life and caused immense distress.
“I’m pleased they have admitted the falsity of their allegations and I can start to rebuild my life.
“I can emerge from this action vindicated with the recognition and acknowledgement that what was said against me was wholly untrue.”
Answering questions after he read out the above statement, Robert Murat said he felt “vindicated” and expressed hope he could now “get on with his life” after months in the wilderness and being the victim of numerous attacks on his character in both the British and Portuguese press.
The out-of-court settlement reached this week, is £50,000 higher than that received by Kate and Gerry McCann earlier from the Express Group of Newspapers.
Earlier this year, Robert Murat, who lives at a villa 100 yards from where Madeleine was last seen, told The Portugal News that he was “just looking to get on with life”, and that he was not considering possible legal action against the state should no charges be brought against him, however this position could change should the Attorney-General’s office admit it has come up empty-handed in the case on Monday.
Earlier this week, the Attorney-General promised what he termed a “solution” to the case involving the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday afternoon, Fernando Pinto Monteiro said a statement would be released on Monday.
“In other words, the Maddie Case will have a solution next Monday which will be given to you [journalists]”, he explained.
Questioned further on what “solution” could be anticipated, he refused to provide any further details, saying it would be what “is read out” on Monday.
Earlier this month, Pinto Monteiro told magistrates dealing with the case to conclude their work by the end of the month.
These latest statements were seen on Thursday by the Portuguese press as an indication that the case’s closure would be announced next week.
Confronted with news ten days ago that police had apparently failed to solve the mystery surrounding Madeleine’s disappearance, Pinto Monteiro responded: “There are crimes that are solved, while others are not”, adding: “It is impossible to have a penal system where all crimes are solved.”
While he was quick to explain that the case was not closed, the Attorney-General continued to focus on unsolved missing person’s cases.
“This sort of crime is extremely difficult to unravel”, highlighting that a million people are reported missing across the world each year and that 800,000 of these people are never found.
Regarding criticism of the investigation into the case, he said: “All investigations, anywhere in the world are criticised when they are not solved”, later saying that in extensive and complex cases, “innocent people are sometimes bothered”.
Late last week, Gerry McCann wrote about how latest developments had affected him and his family: “There has been a lot of speculation in the press over the last 10 days that the investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance has closed.
“We have not heard anything officially other than we know the files are with the prosecutor and the period of secrecy has been extended to 14th August. Our independent investigation continues and we urge people going on holiday to remain vigilant and consider taking one of our posters with them.”
Next Thursday, former PJ police lead investigator into the case, Gonçalo Amaral, will be launching his book “A Verdade da Mentira”, or “The Truth of a Lie”.
He has promised to be factual, even if it is in “detriment to being politically correct”.
Madeleine McCann has been missing since May 3rd, 2007.
