THE police officer who led the Madeleine McCann case could make a million by selling his book about the investigation worldwide.

Goncalo Amaral's The Truth Of The Lie has topped Portugal's bestseller lists after selling more than 140,000 copies in its first two weeks.

And his publisher plans to release it in the UK, despite stricter libel laws.

Jorge Silva, of Portuguese firm Guerrae Paz, said: 'We are convinced it doesn't go against any law. It is an important contribution to the discovery of the material truth and the fulfilment of justice.'

But the McCanns' spokesman, Clarence Mitchell, fired a warning to Mr Amaral last night, saying: 'If he seeks to publish in Britain he and his publisher will face legal action without a shadow of a doubt.

'There is nothing to stop us from suing him in Portugal. Our lawyers are looking at the exact content of what he said in Portuguese and have plenty of time in which to act.'

Mr Amaral's account says police suspected Liverpool-born Kate and husband Gerry almost as soon as Madeleine vanished.