This is another of the Madeleine McCann conspiracy theories explored in the Netflix documentary, The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann. It has been claimed Portuguese authorities framed the McCanns in a desperate attempt to save the tourism trade in Portugal. They didn't want people to think that Portugal was the kind of place where children were unsafe, and such horrible crimes could take place, so they pinned it all on Kate and Gerry McCann.
The theory is from Edinburgh tycoon Brian Kennedy, who has donated to the fund to help find Maddie. He said: "You could understand how the mood of pubic opinion would go from sympathy to vilification."
"Lets find somebody to blame for this that doesn't make us look bad. I think it's all tied into tourism, industry and tourism being down and the country's GDP."
"It's much easier to say: "Aha, we've found some idea later that the parents could be involved in this."
Speaking for the first time about his involvement, Brian Kennedy said he was convinced the McCanns weren't involved "within twelve seconds." He said: "They both looked like a wreck, after 12 seconds just reading the emotions everything told me 100 per cent that this woman (Kate McCann) is genuine - she is a victim."
