Portuguese police are preparing to close their investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.
And it is expected detectives in the Algarve will declare that they have found not a shred of evidence to implicate Madeleine's Liverpool-born mother Kate or her father Gerry in the case.
Madeleine was just six days short of her fourth birthday when she vanished from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz on 3rd May last year.
The McCanns are now hoping their status as "arguidos" - official suspects - will soon be lifted.
The other named "arguido", Briton Robert Murat, is also expected to be cleared of any blame.
The police case is now likely to be shelved after a 14-month inquiry which is said to have been "inconclusive".
The couple's official spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: "Kate and Gerry's lawyers have not had any of this information confirmed so we cannot comment in any great detail. However if this report is true, it is not before time.
"Kate and Gerry have suffered enough in this process. They are clearly innocent of any involvement in Madeleine's disappearance whatsoever and it is right that the police recognise this."
Kate McCann's father Brian Healy said Madeleine's parents should never have been "arguidos" - official suspects.
At his home in Allerton Brian Healey, 62 said: "We are aware of these reports coming from Portugal, but until anything official comes out and not just speculation in the papers, we don't want to say anything.
"We will just have to wait and see."
Asked his thoughts on the suggestion that the McCanns are no longer to be considered suspects, he added: " Kate and Gerry should have never have been given arguido status."
The Journal de Noticias, a respected Portuguese-newspaper, reported that the police inquiry has failed to reach any conclusion over what happened to Madeleine.
The newspaper says a judge overseeing the case is now expected to archive the investigation without ruling on Madeleine's fate.
According to Journal de Noticias, detectives are still unable to determine whether Madeleine was kidnapped or murdered on the night she disappeared from the bedroom of her parents' apartment as they ate at a nearby tapas restaurant with friends.
The police file on the case - likely to stretch to several boxes - will be made available to the suspects' legal teams if the investigation is shelved.
The McCanns, who are understood to be currently enjoying their first holiday since Madeleine vanished, will want to turn that information over to their own team of private investigators
The McCanns, both doctors, who live in Rothley, Leicestershire, still remain convinced that Madeleine could yet be found alive.
Liverpool youth charged over bomb scare
(Tue 07/02)
Trio admit drug racket at Liverpool Crown Court
(Mon 06/02)
Post a comment