Friends defend McCanns' parenting

Nicky Gill (l) and Linda McQueen spoke of the McCanns' family life

Two friends of the mother of missing Madeleine McCann have defended her against suggestions she was involved in her daughter's disappearance.

Linda McQueen and Nicky Gill, who have known Kate McCann since childhood, said she and her husband Gerry were "the most loving, family-oriented couple".

Madeleine disappeared from a Portuguese resort on 3 May.

Mrs McQueen said there was "not a shadow of a doubt from anybody at all ever" about the couple's innocence.

Mr and Mrs McCann were named formal suspects by Portuguese police a week ago.

As such they cannot discuss any aspects of the investigation or disappearance, but family and friends have spoken on their behalf.

They returned to their home in Rothley, Leicestershire, with their twins a week ago and deny any involvement.

We are going to keep looking for her and I know Kate and Gerry and that is everything they want us to do Linda McQueen Friend of Kate McCann

The friends' comments came as the McCann family announced they were to launch another advertising campaign to publicise Madeleine's disappearance.

Mrs McQueen, 45, said of the couple, who have come under increasing scrutiny about their parenting and marriage: "They are the most loving, caring, family-oriented couple that you could ever meet.

"They are absolutely fabulous. Those three children are the world to them, as our children are to them as well."

She said "unfair and hurtful" things had been said of Mrs McCann, who now wanted to "re-focus" their campaign back on finding their daughter rather than on her and her husband.

Asked how Mr and Mrs McCann would cope if Madeleine was found dead, Mrs McQueen said: "We are not even ready to go down that road, to be honest.

"We are going to keep looking for her and I know Kate and Gerry and that is everything they want us to do."

'Cool and calm'

Mrs McQueen dismissed claims that Mrs McCann struggled being a mother.

"I have never ever seen Kate run ragged in her life, ever. If anybody was meant to have three children under three it's Kate.

"She is just cool, calm, laid-back, just very together and very happy - I think because it is everything she wanted."

Solid marriage

Ms Gill, 39, also defended her friend's character against accusations that she was "cold".

"She is lovely, you could not say a bad word against her. There is absolutely nothing to say that would make anybody think badly of her."

Mrs McQueen said there was no question that the couple's marriage was not solid.

"They are very together. They have their vulnerable moments, and probably their dark moments as well, but I think, with us friends and very close family, it is a group holding all of it together really."

They also praised Mr McCann's parenting, saying he enjoyed life as a "hands-on" father.