Website slammed for 'vile' Madeleine McCann merchandise

  • 26/02/2023

Just days after a Polish woman claimed on social media that she is the missing UK girl Madeleine McCann, merchandise featuring the young girl is being sold online. 

The items, including children's clothing, mugs, and maternity outfits with phrases referring to Madeleine's disappearance, have been described as "sickening" and "vile" by social media users. 

The disturbing items are described by the website as the "perfect gift".

"This is so vile," said one social media user. "Maddie's poor parents must be devastated."

"Sickening. Sick to my stomach over this," added another.

Newshub has chosen not to show the items.

The company selling the items, CafePress, had previously faced criticism for producing similar products, but they still produced this new range.

Madeleine McCann disappeared in May 2007 from her bedroom in the Algarve apartment where her family was staying. Her parents were initially questioned by police as formal suspects, but the Portuguese police dropped their investigation in July of the same year, citing a lack of evidence and clearing them of any involvement. 

The McCanns have since campaigned tirelessly to draw attention to their daughter's disappearance.

Polish woman Julia Faustyna's recent claims that she is Madeleine, citing similarities in her appearance, have been dismissed by the police. 

Despite this, she has requested a DNA test to confirm her identity. 

Faustyna's representative, psychic medium and private investigator Dr Fia Johansson, told 7NEWS.com.au Faustyna is definitely "not doing this for publicity".

"Because, when I'm talking to her ... she's crying and saying, 'I just need to understand the truth, all I want is for my mum and dad to do the DNA test with me'," Johansson said.

"But basically, her father said, no, we are not going to."

Johansson told 7NEWS.com.au they will now go to court seeking a DNA test order.