McCann and Mosely speak out over 'damaging' media

Published on Tuesday 10 March 2009 23:44

MADELEINE McCann's father and motorsport boss Max Mosley put the UK's media laws under the spotlight yesterday as they spoke of how they had been affected by newspaper reports.

The two men told MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport Committee of their battles to clear their names.

Gerry McCann described how he and his wife Kate sued British newspapers for libel because they felt negative stories about them were distracting from efforts to find their missing daughter.

Mr McCann, 40, described how he and his wife struggled to cope with the intense media attention after Madeleine went missing in Portugal in 2007.

He said: "Our family have been the focus of some of the most sensationalist, untruthful, irresponsible and damaging reporting in the history of the press."

Mr Mosley, 68, president of motorsport government body the FIA, said his legal fight over a report that he took part in a "sick Nazi orgy" cost him money and his dignity.