Bury TimesMcCann fight gets help of local solicitor7:00pm Friday 28th September 2007
* By Staff Reporter »
A BURY solicitor is helping the parents of missing Madeleine McCann refute allegations by Portuguese police that they were involved in their daughter's disappearance.
Mr Edward Smethurst is the in-house lawyer for double-glazing tycoon Brian Kennedy who has pledged to bankroll Gerry and Kate McCann's legal and media costs.
The solicitor has been tasked with managing and directing the legal defence teams in the UK and Portugal.
Madeleine vanished on May 3 in the resort of Praia da Luz in the Algarve, just days short of her fourth birthday. Her disappearance has since generated international media attention with controversy surrounding the Portuguese-led police investigation and the actions of her parents who have been named official suspects.
Mr Kennedy, the Cheshire-based owner of Sale Sharks rugby union club, has put the financial clout of his Latium business group behind the McCanns' fight to clear their name. He said: "In the light of the quite literally incredible accusations against Gerry and Kate McCann, which are clearly exacerbating their emotional torture, I felt compelled to offer, along with other like-minded businessmen, financial support and the full logistical support of the Latium team. That support is principally our in-house lawyer Ed Smethurst and Clarence Mitchell.
Mr Smethurst is a life-long Bury resident, currently living in Ashworth Valley, and specialises in high profile cases. He recently mounted a legal challenge to stop the controversial £50 million wind farm development at Scout Moor.
He said: "I have been a solicitor for 15 years. My background is not in criminal law, however, but I have been asked to participate in the McCann's case as a result of my experience in international legal disputes.
"Unfortunately, I cannot comment on the specifics of the case other than to say that I believe that Gerry and Kate are completely innocent. My role is to manage, organise and support the legal defence of Gerry and Kate McCann and help clear their names."
