This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7493094.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Police to release Madeleine files | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Leicestershire Police have agreed to release files on the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann to her parents. | |
| The release of evidence to Kate and Gerry McCann comes after the couple dropped a High Court bid to force it. | |
| Portuguese media last week reported the investigation would be closed because of a lack of evidence. | Portuguese media last week reported the investigation would be closed because of a lack of evidence. |
| Madeleine, of Rothley, Leics, went missing in Praia da Luz on 3 May 2007. She was three years old at the time. | Madeleine, of Rothley, Leics, went missing in Praia da Luz on 3 May 2007. She was three years old at the time. |
| Leicestershire Police have been involved in the search for Madeleine since shortly after she went missing. | |
| The McCanns wanted to obtain the information to help in their private investigation into the case. | |
| The family's spokesman, Clarence Mitchell, speaking outside the High Court in London said the information related to calls from members of the public early in the investigation soon after Madeleine disappeared. | |
| I ponder whether that person has a conscience or any feeling of guilt or remorse... about the hurt that has been caused to an innocent little girl Mrs Justice HoggHigh Court judge | |
| He said: "Kate and Gerry McCann welcome this compromise reached with the police. | |
| "If we hadn't gone to court we wouldn't have these 81 pieces [of information handed over] coming in. | |
| "That information now goes to our private investigators, who will work on it, all as a priority. | |
| "Anyone of those could unlock the information that could lead to Madeleine being found." | |
| 'Come forward now' | |
| Madeleine's parents were not at the hearing. Mrs Justice Hogg, presiding, said she had not requested their attendance because "they have suffered enough and I wished to ease their burden". | |
| She urged anyone with information on the case to come forward: "There is, of course, one person who knows what has happened to Madeleine and where she may be found. | |
| "I ponder about that person - whether that person has a heart and might understand what it must be like for Madeleine to have been taken and secreted from her parents and siblings and those she loved and felt secure with. | |
| "Whether that person has a conscience or any feeling of guilt or remorse or even cares about the hurt that has been caused to an innocent little girl, and whether that person has a faith or belief and what explanation or justification they might give to God. | |
| "I entreat that person, whoever they may be, to show mercy and compassion and come forward now and tell us where Madeleine is to be found. I hope she will be found soon, alive and well." | |
| Case 'shelved' | |
| On Tuesday, the Portuguese attorney general denied a decision had yet been taken to close the investigation into Madeleine's disappearance. | |
| It followed Portuguese newspaper reports that police would "archive" or "shelve" the case, meaning they would no longer devote resources to investigating it, because of a lack of evidence. | |
| Kate and Gerry McCann remain as official suspects - "arguidos" in Portuguese legal jargon - in the inquiry, along with a third man, Robert Murat. | |
| If the case were to be closed, the McCann family spokesman said, their arguido status should be lifted "as a priority" and all the files of information held by investigators handed over. |