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Shannon mother 'awaiting return' Shannon mother 'awaiting return'
(30 minutes later)
The mother of rescued schoolgirl Shannon Matthews says she understands why her daughter has not returned home.The mother of rescued schoolgirl Shannon Matthews says she understands why her daughter has not returned home.
The nine-year-old was found in a divan bed in a flat in Batley Carr, West Yorkshire, more than three weeks after she disappeared from nearby Dewsbury.The nine-year-old was found in a divan bed in a flat in Batley Carr, West Yorkshire, more than three weeks after she disappeared from nearby Dewsbury.
Officers arrested her stepfather's uncle, Michael Donovan, 39, formerly known as Paul Drake, on Friday.Officers arrested her stepfather's uncle, Michael Donovan, 39, formerly known as Paul Drake, on Friday.
Shannon is in social services care and Karen Matthews said she accepted police needed time to speak to her daughter.Shannon is in social services care and Karen Matthews said she accepted police needed time to speak to her daughter.
West Yorkshire Police said on Sunday that Shannon's welfare was their top priority. Had we known at any time the whereabouts of Shannon we would have been there in seconds Ch Supt Barry South
In a statement Karen Matthews said: "I fully understand that the police need to keep speaking to Shannon to establish exactly what has happened during the time that she has been missing. Ch Supt Barry South of West Yorkshire Police made a statement outside a community meeting in Dewsbury on Sunday.
The force has been criticised for the length of time it took to find Shannon.
Ch Supt South said: "Let me put on notice and on fact had we known at any time the whereabouts of Shannon we would have been there in seconds."
He said Shannon's welfare was their "main priority" and she was "in safe hands".
"The big thing now is to get Shannon and her family back to normality," he said.
Specially-trained officers interviewed Shannon on Saturday and Sunday.
Karen Matthews said: "I fully understand that the police need to keep speaking to Shannon to establish exactly what has happened during the time that she has been missing.
"I appreciate that could take some time and is not something that is going to happen overnight."I appreciate that could take some time and is not something that is going to happen overnight.
Shannon Matthews was found in a flat on Friday afternoonShannon Matthews was found in a flat on Friday afternoon
"The most important thing is that Shannon is safe."The most important thing is that Shannon is safe.
"I have seen Shannon and I am completely happy that she is being very well looked after and is being given all the care she needs."I have seen Shannon and I am completely happy that she is being very well looked after and is being given all the care she needs.
"The police have been brilliant and I'm really grateful for all they have done for us.""The police have been brilliant and I'm really grateful for all they have done for us."
She added: "Of course I want her back with us as soon as that's possible but I understand that could take some time.
"When she does come home I want it to be for good. Our main priority is Shannon's welfare."
She said a big party was planned for her return, to thank the community for all their support.She said a big party was planned for her return, to thank the community for all their support.
Mr Donovan and Shannon were found by police in two concealed compartments under a divan bed at the flat in Lidgate Gardens, just one mile from Shannon's parents' home in Dewsbury, on Friday afternoon.Mr Donovan and Shannon were found by police in two concealed compartments under a divan bed at the flat in Lidgate Gardens, just one mile from Shannon's parents' home in Dewsbury, on Friday afternoon.
The girl had been missing for 24 days, after she disappeared on the way home from school.
Police were given more time to question Michael Donovan, who is being held on suspicion of abduction, on Sunday.
'Amber alert''Amber alert'
Family friend Charlotte Thornton said Karen Matthews had seen Shannon and had said her daughter looked fine and well. Police have rejected claims by an MEP that she could have been found faster.
A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said that specially-trained officers had interviewed Shannon on Saturday, and would continue to speak to her on Sunday.
Police said she was "on the road to recovery following her ordeal".
Meanwhile, police have rejected claims by an MEP that she could have been found faster.
Yorkshire MEP Edward McMillan-Scott has said police should have carried out more checks on Shannon's family.Yorkshire MEP Edward McMillan-Scott has said police should have carried out more checks on Shannon's family.
He also said if police had used a missing child alert like those used in other countries, known as an amber alert, Shannon would have been found sooner.He also said if police had used a missing child alert like those used in other countries, known as an amber alert, Shannon would have been found sooner.
West Yorkshire Police said it was "inaccurate" to suggest using the amber alert scheme would have resulted in Shannon being found any quicker.West Yorkshire Police said it was "inaccurate" to suggest using the amber alert scheme would have resulted in Shannon being found any quicker.