By Caroline Gammell in Praia da Luz
Last Updated: 2:33AM BST 24 Sep 2007
The McCanns face the media
The multi-millionaire behind Kate and Gerry McCann’s bid to clear their names has been revealed as Brian Kennedy, a double-glazing magnate who started life as a window cleaner.
Mr Kennedy has offered to pay for lawyer Ed Smethurst, who works inhouse for the businessman, as well as the McCann’s official spokesman, Clarence Mitchell.
Born in Edinburgh, the 47-year-old said he was spurred into action after hearing about the “quite literally incredible�?accusations being levelled at the couple.
The McCanns, both 39, are official suspects in their four-year-old daughter’s disappearance and were questioned at length by Portuguese detectives before flying back to the UK.
They said they would go as far as selling their house in Rothley, Leicestershire, to fight claims they might have killed their daughter and would not touch the fund set up to find Madeleine.
But support has come in the form of multi-million pound backers.
Last week, Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson put forward £100,000 to kick start their legal fund.
Mr Kennedy said “In light of the quite literally incredible accusations against Gerry and Kate McCann, which are clearly exacerbating their emotional torture, I felt compelled to offer, along with other like-minded businessmen, financial support and the full logistical support of the Latium team.�?
Latium Group, which includes the Wilmslow-based business dealing in plastics, glass processing, kitchens and home improvements, is owned by Mr Kennedy.
The owner of Sale Sharks rugby club is worth an estimated £250 million and involved in a number of businesses with an annual turnover of £500 million.
He bought the Everest double glazing business in 1999 for £47 million and then sold his stake in the company for £63 million in 2003.
The father of five was brought up a Jehovah’s witness and divides his time between his house in Congleton in Cheshire and a home in Spain.
His support has boosted the McCann’s legal team.
They have employed top lawyers in both Britain and Portugal, with the highly respected Rogerio Alves joining Carlos Pinto de Abreu.
In the UK, Michael Caplan, QC and law firm Kingsley Napley are assisting the couple.
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