Kate McCann asks to be heard

The effects of a book that made allegations about Madeleine McCann's disappearance were worse than when her parents were made arguidos, or formal suspects, Gerry McCann's sister told a court in Portugal.

In her evidence at the libel trial of former police chief Goncalo Amaral, who wrote the book, Trish Cameron said: "This was a different thing. It was much more conclusive and demonising them, dehumanising them, saying they did not care for their children, that they were responsible.

"It makes it out that they weren't truthful and they have been vilified and it's very hard to turn round opinion about them that has been so widely spread."

Mrs Cameron told the court that the Portuguese people had "turned against" the family, adding: "They were fed up with the McCanns, they wanted them to go away, but they weren't going away. They still had a missing child."

Gerry McCann, the father of missing Madeleine, has left a court in Portugal once again without being heard as a witness in the family's libel case against former police inspector Goncalo Amaral.

Mr McCann still does not know whether he will be able to give evidence as no decision has been taken.

Other legal teams are thought to have until October 16 to make submissions on his application, ahead of the judge making her final decision.

Mr McCann said, "Obviously it's disappointing, but we will just keep going."

The McCanns' pain over the disappearance of their daughter was "multiplied 100 times" by a book by a former Portuguese police chief, a court has heard.

Gerry McCann's sister Trish Cameron said he and wife Kate had been "demonised" and "vilified" by the disappearance of Madeleine and claims that they were somehow involved.

She was speaking at the trial of former police chief Goncalo Amaral whose book, The Truth Of The Lie, suggested the McCann's hid their daughter's body after she died in an accident and faked an abduction.

Gerry McCann, the father of missing Madeleine, said he was not sure what would happen in his family's libel case against a former Portuguese police chief "after last week".

Arriving at the Palace of Justice he told reporters, "We are here to listen to the judge and hopefully be heard."

Mr McCann wants to give evidence against Goncalo Amaral, who published a book making allegations about Madeleine's disappearance in May 2007.

Last week Mr McCann flew out to Portugal, but was left frustrated when proceedings were adjourned because one of Mr Amaral's lawyers could not be present.

Gerry McCann, the father of missing Madeleine, will return to a Portuguese court today in the hope that he can give evidence in his family's libel case against a former local police chief.

Mr McCann wants to give evidence against Goncalo Amaral, who published a book making allegations about Madeleine's disappearance in May 2007.

The McCanns claim that the former detective's book damaged the hunt for their daughter and exacerbated the family's anguish.

The family stands to gain around £1 million in damages if their case is successful.

Mr McCann was left frustrated after flying to Portugal last week, when proceedings were adjourned because one of Mr Amaral's lawyers could not be present.

Watch: Gerry McCann 'disappointed' libel case postponed