Kate and Gerry McCann have lost the latest stage of their legal battle with Portuguese authorities over comments made by retired detective Goncalo Amaral.
Lawyers representing the couple argued that their right to a private and family life was breached by the authorities due to how the courts dealt with their libel claims against Mr Amaral. He claimed that the parents were somehow involved in the disappearance of their daughter, Madeleine, during book, TV, and newspaper interviews.
Madeleine McCann disappeared while the family was on holiday in Praia da Luz, Portugal in May 2007. The young girl disappeared shortly before her fourth birthday - she would have turned 19 earlier this year.
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While the European Court for Human Rights found that the couple's reputation had indeed been damaged, it stated it was due to the fact they were made official suspects in the case for a short time, rather than due to Mr Amaral's comments. Now, the McCanns have three months to appeal the court's decision.
It comes after German investigators found new evidence against the prime suspect in the investigation into the girl's disappearance, according to a prosecutor during a Portuguese television interview. Convicted sex offender Christian Brueckner was declared a suspect in April - it was revealed that he had been under investigation for two years.
Following the news, the McCanns stated that it was essential they find out the truth behind their daughter's disappearance and declared that they "haven't given up hope".
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