The Portuguese Embassy complained that a comment piece, on the subject of Anglo-Portuguese relations in the wake of the Madeleine McCann investigation, inaccurately characterised the Ambassador’s views on the issue, and contained what were considered to be offensive comments about the Portuguese Ambassador, the Portuguese police and Portuguese people in general.

Further to our article of 29th October, we are happy to make clear that whilst the contrary impression was given by the comments of the Portuguese Ambassador to the Times on 27 October we can confirm that the Ambassador did Antonio Santana Carlos not, and has not, said that the Madeleine McCann case has seriously damaged relations between Portugal and this country.