Crime | Madeleine McCann McCann Family Pals Win Libel Settlement Tabloids hit with $650K judgment for 'wholly untrue' claims By Matt Cantor Posted Oct 17, 2008 10:02 AM CDT Copied In this March 2007 file photo, released by the McCann family on May 4, 2007, British girl Madeleine McCann is seen in Liverpool, England. (AP Photo/McCann Family) A British tabloid company has paid some $650,000 in libel damages after printing false information about the friends who dined with Madeleine McCann’s parents on the night of the 3-year-old’s disappearance. The Express Newspapers chain apologized to the group and agreed that its claims were “wholly untrue,” the Guardian reports. Both newspapers also printed apologies to the so-called tapas seven. “The defamatory stories written about us were not only extremely damaging on a personal level but we strongly feel were detrimental to the search for Madeleine,” said a member of the group. "Our only aim is to see her safely recovered and reunited with the family who so adore her." Read These Next Trump has been talking about a White House ballroom for 15 years. Game 3 of the World Series took a historically long time to wrap up. Bill Gates wants less 'doomsday' talk on climate change. Amid turmoil at CBS News, a veteran anchor is leaving. Report an error