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A FRESH Madeleine McCann inquiry was a
step closer yesterday as one of
Britain’s top prosecutors flew to
Portugal for a summit over new leads in
the case.
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A fresh inquiry into
Madeleine McCann may shed
new light on her
disappearance |
Alison Saunders, chief crown prosecutor
for London, discussed crucial
developments in the case uncovered by
Scotland Yard.
It is the first time such a senior
figure from the Crown Prosecution
Service has travelled to Portugal in
connection with Madeleine’s
disappearance and her presence, along
with her deputy, fuelled speculation
that a new inquiry is about to be
launched.
A fresh probe, probably jointly funded
by Britain and Portugal, will look into
at least 20 new suspects identified by
Scotland Yard’s Operation Grange.
Home Secretary Theresa May is shortly
expected to announce a new investigation
into Madeleine’s disappearance six years
ago at the age of three.
A CPS spokeswoman said: “Prosecutors
from CPS London and investigators from
the Metropolitan Police Service visited
their Portuguese counterparts on April
17-18 to discuss possible next steps in
relation to the disappearance of
Madeleine McCann. We continue to work
with the police on this case.”
The McCanns’ spokesman Clarence Mitchell
said they would not comment publicly
while Operation Grange continues.
He said: “They remain grateful, however,
to the UK authorities for the work being
done to establish what happened to
Madeleine and to bring those responsible
for her abduction to justice.”
Mrs Saunders, a possible successor to
retiring Director of Public Prosecutions
Keir Starmer, QC, was joined by her
deputy Jenny Hopkins on the trip to
Portugal.
It came after the Yard team identified
fresh suspects. The Portuguese
authorities say they require new
information to justify re-opening the
inquiry.
Operation Grange, conducted by Scotland
Yard’s Homicide and Serious Crime
Command, was launched in May 2011.
Last month Detective Chief
Superintendent Hamish Campbell said the
review had identified “both
investigative and forensic
opportunities” and “more than a handful
of people of interest”.
As they marked the sixth anniversary of
Madeleine’s disappearance last month, Mr
and Mrs McCann said they were encouraged
by Operation Grange and added that
police seemed “more determined than
ever”.
The couple’s hopes were further
reinforced by the recent discovery of
three women held captive in Ohio since
being kidnapped as children. Amanda
Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight
went missing 10 years ago in separate
incidents.
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Kate and Gerry McCann talk
to the media in an apartment
in Praia Da Luz, Portugal |
When the women were found, the McCanns
said the rescue “reaffirmed” their hope
of finding their daughter, which has
never diminished. It has been reported
that Home Secretary Theresa May is set
to announce a full-scale Scotland Yard
investigation into Madeleine’s
disappearance.
A full investigation would allow police
to interview suspects in Britain, though
they would seek the assistance of the
Portuguese to carry out their inquiries
there. A Home Office spokesman said:
“The Home Office remains committed to
supporting the search for Madeleine
McCann and we have always said we would
provide the Metropolitan Police with the
resources they need to investigate her
disappearance.”
Madeleine vanished from her family’s
holiday apartment as her mother Kate,
45, and father Gerry, 44, dined with
friends nearby in the Algarve resort of
Praia da Luz in May, 2007.
Operation Grange was launched after the
couple, both doctors from Rothley,
Leicestershire, appealed to David
Cameron.
In all, the Grange squad has identified
around 200 potential leads. Yard
officers have travelled to Portugal and
Spain several times. |
