Pinochet's lawyer hired by McCanns

Kingsley Napley has been hired by the parents of Madeleine McCann to advise them on their legal rights.

Kate and Gerry McCann, who left Portugal yesterday (9 September) to return to England, have enlisted the assistance of heavyweight partner Michael Caplan QC.

Caplan famously represented Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet, preventing his extradition from Britain to Spain on torture charges.

Criminal partner Angus McBride, who has previously represented England football captain John Terry, has also been drafted on to the Kingsley Napley team to advise the McCanns.

A Kingsley Napley spokeswoman said: “We’re looking at all the issues and working closely with our clients' Portuguese lawyers. We are not in a position to comment further at this time."

Kingsley Napley’s hire comes less than 48 hours after the McCanns were named as formal suspects or “arguidos" by the Portuguese police.

The police are reported to be pursuing lines of inquiry suggesting the McCanns may have been involved with their daughter, Madeleine’s, disappearance on 3 May. The McCanns deny any involvement in her disappearance.