LONDON, July 16 (UPI) -- A British expatriate who became the subject of newspaper speculation in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann in Portugal has settled a media libel case.
Robert Murat was named a formal suspect by Portuguese police in last year's disappearance of 4-year-old Madeleine in the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz, but he was never charged. The girl is still missing.
The Times of London reported a spokesman for Murat confirmed he has settled a libel case against the British tabloid press. Unconfirmed reports put the settlement at $1.1 million.
Murat's lawyers in April filed the libel action against 11 newspapers and one television network which had made allegations against him. He was questioned by police 11 days after Madeleine went missing on May 3, 2007. Police searched the villa near the McCann's vacation apartment where Murat lived with his mother.
The Times said Murat was brought to the attention of Portuguese officials by a journalist who spoke to the British Embassy and the police about him.
