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Ex-County owner's £millions for McCanns
Miles Skinner26/ 9/2007
THE millionaire owner of Stockport-based Sale Sharks is the mystery benefactor supporting Kate and Gerry McCann.
Businessman Brian Kennedy decided to back the parents of missing four-year-old Madeleine McCann after learning they would not use the £1million in the search fund for their legal fees.
Mr Kennedy, who amassed a £250million fortune from double glazing, told the Stockport Express he felt "compelled" to offer his Latium Group’s financial support in the face of "incredible accusations against Gerry and Kate".
The couple have been made formal suspects by Portuguese police investigating the case of their missing daughter, and have been the subject of press speculation here and abroad.
The Cheshire-based entrepreneur who is not believed to know the McCanns personally, explained: "In the 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.
"That support is principally our in-house lawyer Ed Smethurst and (spokesman) Clarence Mitchell."
He continued: "This will relieve the McCanns of the daily pressure of co-ordinating the legal teams that will expedite the clearing of Gerry and Kate’s names, allowing all parties to refocus on finding
Madeleine. This will relieve the McCanns of the daily pressure of co-ordinating the legal teams that will expedite the clearing of Gerry and Kate's names, allowing all parties to re-focus on finding Madeleine."
Mr Kennedy previously owned Stockport County FC through his company Cheshire Sport.
Former Stockport County managing director Kevan Taylor told the Stockport Express: "I have not experienced Brian doing anything quite like this before.
"But I can say that I have observed him being incredibly supportive of people who have worked for him who fell ill.
"He ensured they and their families had the best possible private medical care."
Mr Taylor, now a finance director with the Lawn Tennis Association, added: "Although Brian is an extremely private person, he is a genuinely very generous man.
"Let’s just say that when I first read the news (of his backing for the McCanns) I said ‘oh’...but then I wasn’t really surprised at all."
Edinburgh-born Mr Kennedy’s companies have included Weatherseal Holdings, Everest and Space Kitchens and Bedrooms.
The Latium Group, which has an annual turnover of about £400m, is involved in plastics moulding, conservatory roof manufacture, glass processing, home improvement retailing and property.
Mr Kennedy, a Jehovah’s Witness, has also used his financial clout to help build a church in recent years.
News of Mr Kennedy’s backing came during reports from Portugal that Robert Murat, the first person to be declared an official suspect in Madeleine’s disappearance, was set to be cleared by police.
There have also been claims that Portuguese officers failed to follow up a second reported sighting of Madeleine in Morocco.
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28/09/2007 at 22:05
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