In a week where British newspaper the “Daily Mail” announces that the mother of Madeleine McCann made 880 thousand pounds on the proceeds of her recent book on her daughter’s disappearance, Lusa news agency reports on the suspension of the trial for defamation of former PJ police officer Gonçalo Amaral.

Madeleine’s parents Kate and Gerry McCann allege that 53-year-old Amaral defamed them in his book “A Verdade da Mentira” (The Truth of the Lie). They initially put in a claim for damages of 1.2 million pounds - but they are now seeking some sort of deal.

If no agreement is reached within the next six months, a new date will be set. Amaral’s trial, which has already been postponed twice, was due to be heard in Lisbon on 24th-25th January. Meantime, the 880 thousand pounds will be ploughed back into the search for missing Madeleine, who was last seen in Praia da Luz in May of 2007.