Madeleine McCann: Mum fears year as suspect

Oct 2 2007 by Caroline Innes, Liverpool Daily Post

THE Liverpool-born mother of Madeleine McCann has been warned she may still be a suspect in her daughter’s disappearance next May – the first anniversary of when her daughter went missing.

Last night Clarence Mitchell, spokesperson for Kate and Gerry McCann, said the couple had been warned to prepare themselves to be under suspicion and police scrutiny for the long term.

He said the couple have been informed by Portuguese police that they can remain official suspects or “arguidos” for eight months under Portuguese law, and even then detectives have the further option to extend it.

Mr Mitchell said: “In theory, they could technically be arguidos right up until the first anniversary of Madeleine going missing.

“We are prepared for that if necessary. We hope not. We are pushing to have this arguido status lifted immediately.”

The couple were declared “arguidos” last month and as such are banned from giving interviews under Portugal’s strict judicial secrecy laws.

But Mr Mitchell said the McCanns were trying to get on with their normal lives in Rothley.

He said the twins, Sean and Amelie, had started going to a creche again but indicated there was no immediate prospect of Mrs McCann, who grew up in Anfield and Allerton, going back to work as a GP because of her legal status.

He said the former Notre Dame High School pupil was also well aware that some people were suspicious of her and her husband’s involvement in the four-year-old’s disappearance.

“They know that people have strong views and, in many cases, are divided, but they are determined to stress their innocence and they are very grateful for those people who believe in their innocence,” said Mr Mitchell.

It is understood the couple’s lawyers have been actively preparing a defence behind the scenes in hope of having the arguido tag removed as soon as possible.

Mr Mitchell said: “There is great uncertainty as to where they go from here.”

He said the couple were feeling the pressure almost five months after Madeleine’s disappearance from their holiday apartment in Praia da Luz.

“It’s getting pretty tough for them, the longer it goes on without them being exonerated, as we hope they will be shortly, the harder it gets,” he said.

He added that the couple were aware of a series of new claims reported in Portuguese newspapers which he dismissed as “ludicrous”.

Recent theories include that the couple may have disposed of Mad- eleine’s body on a trip to Spain two months ago or even that she had been kept in a series of fridges in Praia da Luz.

Reports over the weekend suggested police were looking at the possibility Madeleine may have fallen down a small set of steps from the patio doors in the McCanns’ holiday apartment and her body had been hidden.

Yesterday one newspaper reported the police were awaiting test results on hair found behind the sofa in the apartment. Mr Mitchell dismissed the reports but refused to point the finger at the Port- uguese police as the source.

He said: “Of course they are aware (of it), it makes it very tough and it’s hurtful.

“I’m not saying that I know the source of these lies, these rumours or allegations, call it what you will – ‘theories’ is probably the best word.

“Whoever they are coming from, we would hope that they would stop.

“Some of them are just offensive and gruesome, talk of fridges and so-on, it’s ludicrous.”

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carolineinnes