Madeleine McCann’s parents issue heartbreaking statement as show about daughter to air | UK | News

Madeleine McCann’s parents said they were “disappointed” that a new true crime drama about their daughter’s disappearance was filmed without their consultation or approval.

Kate and Gerry McCann said they had “no involvement” in Channel 5’s production of Under Suspicion: Kate McCann, about Madeleine being treated as a suspect during the investigation into her mother’s disappearance in May 2007.

The series, starring Slow Horses actress Laura Bayston and Kate McCann, was released on Wednesday.

In a statement the same day, Kate and Gerry expressed concern about the “negative impact” such programs were having on their family, who continue to grieve Madeleine’s disappearance 19 years later.

“Thank you to everyone who has offered support and kindness this month,” they wrote on the Find Madeleine Campaign website.

“May is never the easiest. It’s usually during this phase of the month that we start to feel a little ‘light’.”

“However, we are disappointed as we know a ‘docudrama’ will be broadcast on Channel 5 this evening.

“We did not give our consent or be asked for our consent, and we did not interfere in any way with this being done.

“We don’t see how this would help.

“Shows like this always have a negative impact on our family.”

The statement, which was also published on the official Find Madeleine Campaign Facebook page, was signed “Kate, Gerry & Family”.

Madeleine McCann was three years old when she disappeared from her family’s holiday home in Praia da Luz, southern Portugal, on May 3, 2007, shortly before her birthday.

Portuguese detectives made Kate and her husband Gerry suspects, or “controversial”, that September, before revoking the status in July the following year.

Channel 5’s new drama focuses on Kate’s interrogation by officers and is based on official police material, documentary evidence and recorded statements.

The 90-minute film is written by award-winning screenwriter and playwright Philip Ralph and directed by Paula Wittig, who previously directed Black Widow.

Channel 5 has been approached for comment.