Madeleine: McCanns knew of two possible Morocco sighting

Sep 24 2007

Kate and Gerry McCann pictured outside their house in Rothley. Picture: David Jones/PA Wire _320

Madeleine McCann’s parents have “known for months” that there were two possible sightings of their missing daughter in the same city on the same day, their spokesman revealed today.

Norwegian Marie Pollard gave them fresh hope when she reported seeing her at a petrol station in Marrakech, Morocco, just days after her apparent abduction from their holiday apartment in Portugal on May 3.

Today, it emerged that Kate and Gerry McCann were also told of a British tourist contacting police on his return home to say he thought he had also seen the four-year-old.

This second, separate sighting - passed on to the Portuguese and Moroccan authorities but not disclosed to the media - was in the same part of the city and at a similar time on May 9 as the first.

Ms Pollard claimed she saw Madeleine outside a petrol station, while the British witness, unnamed but said to be from Yorkshire, said he saw a young girl with a close resemblance outside the Ibis Hotel opposite.

The Briton was unaware of the other sighting, meaning police had two independent reports in the same place, a source close to the McCanns told reporters.

Today, family spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: “We have been aware of it for months. It was made known to us when it happened.

“All I can say is that any possible sightings, if credible, we hope would be examined thoroughly, whether it’s in Portugal, Spain or anywhere else.”

Today, the McCanns emerged from their home in Rothley, Leicestershire, where they have largely remained since their return from Portugal two weeks ago, with twins Sean and Amelie.

The Catholics attended their local church, where prayers are said daily for their daughter.

A top legal team has been assembled to help the couple, who have been named official suspects, or “arguidos” in their eldest child’s disappearance.

Yesterday, millionaire businessman Brian Kennedy revealed that he was providing financial backing to the McCanns, who have strenuously denied any involvement.

Mr Mitchell said: “They are feeling positive. Things are being done on several fronts to help their cause.”

In Portugal, Robert Murat, the first person to be declared an arguido in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, is reportedly set to be cleared by police.

British expat Mr Murat was taken in for questioning by police 11 days after the youngster vanished from Praia da Luz and later declared a suspect, but he has never been formally arrested or charged.

Portuguese newspaper Sol reported that Mr Murat had now been told that police have no case against him.

Mr Murat, 33, whose father is Portuguese, had earlier offered his services as a translator to police working on the case and became a familiar sight around the crime scene in the days after Madeleine’s disappearance.

He is to remain an arguido until the investigation is complete to avoid compromising other ongoing inquiries, Sol said.