The Upperlands couple, whose children were taken into temporary care after they allegedly passed out following a drinking session, returned home on Tuesday night.

Mr Clifford told a radio programme that he had not yet spoken to them but confirmed that someone connected to the family had been in contact with his office.

“It’s a good story and it’s important that they get their side of it out there,” he said.

Mr Clifford said that the media would not stop until they heard what the McGuckins had to say.

He said a statement from the family to the Press was not enough and that they would have to provide interviews and pictures, such was the level of interest in the story.

Max Clifford has represented a host of celebrities and people who have found themselves unexpectedly in the media spotlight, most recently Robert Murat, one of the suspects in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.