Madeleine: Police set to swoop on new British suspect

Aug 20 2007 by Nick Coligan, Liverpool Echo

Toddler Madeleine McCann, who was abducted in Portugal _158

POLICE are preparing to arrest a British man after a breakthrough in the search for Madeleine McCann.

Reports from Portugal today said detectives in the UK had received details from colleagues in Praia da Luz about someone living in this country.

The suspect, who has been under surveillance for weeks, would be extradited to Portugal for questioning.

The development comes after DNA tests on vehicles in Praia da Luz, including those driven by the McCann family, their friends and the only official suspect, Robert Murat.

British detectives have been working with sniffer dogs in the resort, where four-year-old Madeleine, whose mother Kate is from Liverpool, went missing 15 weeks ago.

They are still awaiting results of DNA tests on blood found inside the McCanns’ apartment.

Meanwhile, raids are expected in Portugal over the next 48 hours after search warrants were approved by officials in Lisbon.

Every detective in the Algarve is on stand-by today to execute the warrants.

Police in Praia da Luz are also preparing to interview key witnesses, including a woman living above the apartment where Madeleine was taken.

Mrs McCann, whose parents live in Mossley Hill, and her husband Gerry are now thought to be preparing to return to their Leicestershire home after three and a half months in Portugal.

Reports over the weekend suggested they were feeling the financial strain of staying abroad for so long with their twins Sean and Amelie.

Despite the public raising more than £1m, the McCanns have refused to use it to pay for living expenses or personal costs.