The Leicester Mercury newspaper yesterday

The Leicester Mercury yesterday:

JK Rowling 'not helping Kate McCann write a book about Madeleine'

Madeleine McCann

There is no truth in reports that Harry Potter creator JK Rowling is helping Kate McCann write her book about her missing daughter Madeleine, a family spokesperson said last night.

A number of national newspapers yesterday reported that the best-selling author was helping the McCanns write their account of how three-year-old Madeleine went missing while on holiday in Portugal almost four years ago.

Family spokesman Clarence Mitchell said that while Ms Rowling and the McCanns share the same literary agent, the author had played no part in the publication of the book, called Madeleine.

Speaking to the Mercury, he said: "In the light of recent reports citing JK Rowling's involvement in the Kate's forthcoming book, I can confirm that while she has been and continues to be a long time family supporter, her only involvement in bringing the book to publication has been via her literary agent Christopher Little, who has also been representing Kate.

"Beyond this, J K Rowling has had no involvement in the writing, editing or publication of the book."

The book will be released by publishers Transworld on May 12 – Madeleine's eighth birthday

I thought it was a bit strange. How could she help write the book when she didn't have first hand knowledge of the facts. I have read on my emails that they are also reporting the fact in New Zealand! I wonder who started the rumour?

Not sure why the newspapers would come up with the JK Rowlings story.

Someone causing trouble, someone taking shortcuts and not researching properly, or just poor journalism standard.

dianeh, perhaps a bit of both, I think.