Missing Maddie: Libel proceedings start against former Portuguese detective The mother of missing British girl Madeleine McCann has been in court in Lisbon, for the start of a libel case against a former Portuguese detective. Goncalo Amaral published a book alleging Kate and her husband were involved in their daughter's disappearance. The McCanns, who insist Madeleine was abducted, are seeking 1.2 million euros in damages. Amaral was part of the police investigation into Madeleine's disappearance from a holiday villa in Portugal's Algarve region in 2007, days before her fourth birthday. Portuguese police closed the case in 2008 after failing to find out what happened, but British detectives are investigating what they say are new leads. More about: Child trafficking, Portugal