British police helped "develop" evidence against Madeleine McCann's parents, according to diplomatic cables published by WikiLeaks.

The UK's ambassador to Portugal, Alexander Wykeham Ellis, reportedly made the claim to his American counterpart in 2007 - two weeks after Portuguese police named Gerry and Kate McCann as suspects

In a cable to Washington, US Ambassador Al Hoffman wrote: "Ellis admitted that the British police had developed the current evidence against the McCann parents, and he stressed that authorities from both countries were working co-operatively.

"He commented that the media frenzy was to be expected and was acceptable as long as government officials keep their comments behind closed doors."

Kate and Gerry said their status as suspects was lifted in 2008, proving that they weren't involved in their daughter's disappearance.