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McCann friend criticises 'leaks' McCann friend criticises 'leaks'
(10 minutes later)
A friend of Madeleine McCann's parents has publicly criticised the Portuguese police for leaking information about the inquiry into the missing child.A friend of Madeleine McCann's parents has publicly criticised the Portuguese police for leaking information about the inquiry into the missing child.
In her first interview, Rachael Oldfield, who was with the couple when their daughter disappeared last May, said there was a "double standard". Rachael Oldfield, who was with Kate and Gerry McCann, of Rothley, Leics, when their daughter disappeared in May, said there had been a "double standard".
Witnesses had to remain silent, while Portuguese newspapers carried stories sourced to police, she told the BBC.Witnesses had to remain silent, while Portuguese newspapers carried stories sourced to police, she told the BBC.
Kate and Gerry McCann remain arguidos - suspects - but deny any wrongdoing. The McCanns remain arguidos - suspects - but deny any wrongdoing.
"We were made to understand we could face two years in prison for speaking out," Ms Oldfield said, "so as a group we've not said anything from day one. In her first interview, Mrs Oldfield said: "We were made to understand we could face two years in prison for speaking out, so as a group we've not said anything from day one.
"And there have been all these rumours flying around and leaks from sources close to the PJ [the Policia Judiciaria - Portuguese police]". "And there have been all these rumours flying around and leaks from sources close to the PJ [the Policia Judiciaria - Portuguese police]."
Asked to characterise police actions, she replied: "Well, double standards. They leaked information and these rumours which have flown around for the past year...Asked to characterise police actions, she replied: "Well, double standards. They leaked information and these rumours which have flown around for the past year...
"We would have loved to have put the record straight.""We would have loved to have put the record straight."
Open inquiryOpen inquiry
Touching on the events of 3 May when Madeleine went missing from a ground floor apartment in Praia da Luz in the Algarve, Mrs Oldfield said it had been "agonising" to watch the McCanns' reaction.Touching on the events of 3 May when Madeleine went missing from a ground floor apartment in Praia da Luz in the Algarve, Mrs Oldfield said it had been "agonising" to watch the McCanns' reaction.
She said: "Anyone with an ounce of common sense would be able to see they couldn't have done it."She said: "Anyone with an ounce of common sense would be able to see they couldn't have done it."
Separately, a senior figure in Portugal with direct knowledge of the investigation has told a BBC Radio 4 documentary there is only a slim chance of murder or manslaughter charges being filed against Kate and Gerry McCann or Robert Murat, the third arguido.Separately, a senior figure in Portugal with direct knowledge of the investigation has told a BBC Radio 4 documentary there is only a slim chance of murder or manslaughter charges being filed against Kate and Gerry McCann or Robert Murat, the third arguido.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, insisted all lines of inquiry remain open, including the original theory that Madeleine was abducted.The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, insisted all lines of inquiry remain open, including the original theory that Madeleine was abducted.
From within Portugal, the police are coming under pressure to make public the case files which, under judicial secrecy laws, currently remain closed.From within Portugal, the police are coming under pressure to make public the case files which, under judicial secrecy laws, currently remain closed.
The President of the Portuguese Order of Lawyers, Antonio Marinho e Pinto, told the BBC: "There are strong reasons to fear that judicial secrecy is being used... to conceal the fact that the police have gone down a blind alley and don't have a way out."The President of the Portuguese Order of Lawyers, Antonio Marinho e Pinto, told the BBC: "There are strong reasons to fear that judicial secrecy is being used... to conceal the fact that the police have gone down a blind alley and don't have a way out."
Rachael Oldfield's interview can be heard on Searching for Madeleine, at 2000 BST, 24 April on BBC Radio 4.Rachael Oldfield's interview can be heard on Searching for Madeleine, at 2000 BST, 24 April on BBC Radio 4.