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Madeleine 'treated as commodity' Madeleine 'treated as commodity'
(30 minutes later)
Madeleine McCann was treated as a "commodity" by the UK press, her father Gerry has told MPs.Madeleine McCann was treated as a "commodity" by the UK press, her father Gerry has told MPs.
Some stories about the missing girl - now aged five - had been "embellished" or even made up, the culture, media and sport select committee was told.Some stories about the missing girl - now aged five - had been "embellished" or even made up, the culture, media and sport select committee was told.
Papers had published stories suggesting Madeleine was dead without evidence, reports which could have stopped people looking for her, Mr McCann said.Papers had published stories suggesting Madeleine was dead without evidence, reports which could have stopped people looking for her, Mr McCann said.
Madeleine, of Rothley, Leicestershire, vanished in Portugal in May 2007.Madeleine, of Rothley, Leicestershire, vanished in Portugal in May 2007.
Prosecutors initially placed "arguido" - or formal suspect - status on Mr McCann and his wife Kate but this was lifted in July last year when the case was shelved as detectives stopped actively searching for the youngster.Prosecutors initially placed "arguido" - or formal suspect - status on Mr McCann and his wife Kate but this was lifted in July last year when the case was shelved as detectives stopped actively searching for the youngster.
'Profits'
Asked about the coverage of his daughter's disappearance, Mr McCann said: "We saw pressure particularly on journalists to produce stories when really there was nothing much to report."Asked about the coverage of his daughter's disappearance, Mr McCann said: "We saw pressure particularly on journalists to produce stories when really there was nothing much to report."
He added: "Madeleine was made a commodity and profits were to be made."He added: "Madeleine was made a commodity and profits were to be made."
Mr McCann said there had to be "some degree of control" over reporting, because newspapers had "the potential to ruin people's lives".
He told the MPs that immediately after the disappearance the media had shown a "desire to try to help get facts that would lead to Madeleine's whereabouts".
THE INQUIRY Gerry McCann is the latest witness to appear before the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee during their investigation into "press standards, privacy and libel". Orgy story 'took Mosley dignity'
But he added: "Much of the content in the first few days was highly speculative. It was not at all helpful to us.
"We fairly quickly decided for our own benefit not to watch the broadcasts or, indeed, to read the newspapers."
Coverage had become more "damaging" after the couple were named "arguidos", he added.
The police in Portugal made less use of public appeals to gain evidence than those in the UK, Mr McCann said, which had created a "difficult situation" for the family.
Madeleine's parents, the friends who were with them on the holiday and one-time suspect Robert Murat have all won apologies and pay-outs from newspapers.Madeleine's parents, the friends who were with them on the holiday and one-time suspect Robert Murat have all won apologies and pay-outs from newspapers.
Madeleine was almost four years old when she disappeared from a holiday flat in Praia da Luz, in the Algarve, on 3 May 2007.Madeleine was almost four years old when she disappeared from a holiday flat in Praia da Luz, in the Algarve, on 3 May 2007.
The committee is holding an inquiry into press standards, privacy and libel. The committee is holding an inquiry into press standards, privacy and libel. Earlier on Tuesday they heard from international motor racing boss Max Mosley.