Madeleine's parents to sue Portuguese paper

The parents of missing Madeleine McCann will today launch a libel action against a Portuguese newspaper which claimed they killed their daughter, the BBC has reported.

Last Friday, Tal e Qual reported that the "police believe" Kate and Gerry McCann caused Madeleine's death either in an accident or with a fatal dose of a drug. The claim was said to come from a police source.

The McCanns' lawyers will file a seven page defamation complaint today which will say the "untrue" story had caused the couple "suffering and humiliation", the BBC said.

Portuguese police have said the couple, from Rothley, Leicestershire, are not suspects.

Madeleine disappeared from her bed in a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, while her parents ate with friends at a nearby tapas restaurant on May 3.