McCann trial by the media

The scale of media interest in the disappearance of British child Madeleine McCann had been unprecedented even before the weekend. But the Portuguese police decision to name her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, as suspects has resulted in even greater coverage.

Since Friday, it has been the lead story on almost every TV and radio news bulletin in the UK and has filled column inches around the world. Madeleine's parents yesterday woke up back home in the UK, but without their missing daughter and with a cloud of suspicion hanging over them.

Kate and Gerry left their house in Rothley, Leicestershire, with their three children for a happy family holiday in Portugal at the end of April.