Maddy Parents Win Apology— and $1.1M

Two downmarket British tabloids ran front-page apologies to the parents of Madeleine McCann today. The Daily Express and the Daily Star apologized for carrying articles that suggested that Kate and Gerry McCann killed their missing daughter in Portugal last year. The company that owns the two newspapers also paid the McCanns $1.1 million in damages, plus legal fees, a spokeswoman for the family said.

The newspapers had already cut down their reporting on the case after the McCanns threatened legal action, reports the Times of London. The family nevertheless engaged libel lawyers to stop the “wildly and grossly defamatory articles,” and “seek redress." In its apology today the Express addressed Madeleine's parents directly, saying "We assure you that we hope Madeleine will one day be found alive and well, and will be restored to her loving family." (More Madeleine McCann stories.)