Madeleine McCann’s parents risk losing large chunk of search fund to former cop...

MADELEINE McCann’s parents risk losing a large chunk of funds set aside to continue the search for her — to a former cop.

Gerry and Kate McCann are locked in a 13-year legal fight with Portuguese ex-detective Goncalo Amaral over a book he wrote on the case.

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They are appealing to the European Court of Human Rights after Portugal’s highest court threw out their libel claim against Amaral, who implicated them in their daughter’s disappearance.

Another court loss could eat hugely into their Maddie Fund, which has a balance of £931,500.

The Sun On Sunday revealed last month that Scotland Yard is winding down its investigation.

Kate and Gerry, both 54, of Rothley, Leics, will then need the fund to maintain their own probe.

Madeleine vanished, aged three, from an Algarve holiday apartment in 2007.

A source close to the family said: “If Gerry and Kate lose their appeal, there will be damages to pay and a big legal costs bill.

"It’s left them feeling a bit on tenterhooks.”

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