THE new police investigation into Madeleine McCann's disappearance was described as a 'ludicrous' waste of cash at the weekend by one of Scotland Yard's governing body.

Jenny Jones hit out at David Cameron's decision to involve the Metropolitan Police and said the move would deny justice to other victims of crime while tying up police resources. A member of the Metropolitan Police Authority, Ms Jones has vowed to do everything in her power to stop the inquiry. Her comments echo disquiet expressed by fellow MPA member, Labour peer Toby Harris, who accused the Prime Minister of undermining the operational independence of the police.

Ms Jones said the McCanns were being given preferential treatment. 'The police should not take this case up in this way,' she said. 'It is ludicrous. This could take years and will cost millions. It is very unusual for police to step in like this and it is not an appropriate use of police resources.' Ms Jones, who is also a member of the London Assembly, said: 'The Government is closing down the Forensic Science Service because there are not enough funds. This is a crucial part of police work.

'Although it is tragic and I feel for the McCanns, how can the Prime Minister justify spending millions of pounds on one case'' Writing in his internet blog, Lord Harris said: 'I can imagine that the senior leadership of the Metropolitan Police are not exactly happy about this.' But the PM's intervention has been welcomed by Mr and Mrs McCann. They said Mr Cameron had given assurances that all funds for the inquiry would come from the Government and would not eat into the police force's budget.

Madeleine vanished from her family's holiday flat in Praia da Luz in Portugal's Algarve on May 3, 2007, just before her fourth birthday. Portuguese police, helped by officers from Leicestershire police ' where the family live ' carried out a massive investigation but the inquiry was shelved in July, 2008. Since then, no police force has been actively looking for her. Kate McCann has just launched her book about the disappearance. The new review will be led by Detective Chief Inspector Andy Redwood, from the Homicide and Serious Crime Command.