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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Madeleine inquiry could be closed | Madeleine inquiry could be closed |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Portugal's attorney general is to make a statement about the Madeleine McCann case, amid reports that the inquiry into her disappearance will be shelved. | Portugal's attorney general is to make a statement about the Madeleine McCann case, amid reports that the inquiry into her disappearance will be shelved. |
| Fernando Jose Pinto Monteiro has said that he will announce a "solution" to the police investigation. | Fernando Jose Pinto Monteiro has said that he will announce a "solution" to the police investigation. |
| The child's parents and a third British national, Robert Murat, have been named "arguidos" or official suspects, but this status could now be ended. | The child's parents and a third British national, Robert Murat, have been named "arguidos" or official suspects, but this status could now be ended. |
| Madeleine, of Rothley, Leicestershire, disappeared on 3 May 2007, aged three. | Madeleine, of Rothley, Leicestershire, disappeared on 3 May 2007, aged three. |
| 'Most important' | 'Most important' |
| Portuguese media had previously reported that the 14-month long investigation would be closed because of a lack of evidence. | Portuguese media had previously reported that the 14-month long investigation would be closed because of a lack of evidence. |
| Detectives submitted their final report at the start of July to prosecutors. | Detectives submitted their final report at the start of July to prosecutors. |
| They hope to gain access to the police files so that their private investigators can continue the search for Madeleine Clarence MitchellKate and Gerry McCann's spokesman | They hope to gain access to the police files so that their private investigators can continue the search for Madeleine Clarence MitchellKate and Gerry McCann's spokesman |
| Kate and Gerry McCann, Madeleine's parents, have said they want their own private investigators to see detectives' files so they can keep looking for their daughter. | Kate and Gerry McCann, Madeleine's parents, have said they want their own private investigators to see detectives' files so they can keep looking for their daughter. |
| If the case is shelved, lawyers for Mr and Mrs McCann and Mr Murat will gain access to police papers and the official investigation into Madeleine's disappearance will stop. | If the case is shelved, lawyers for Mr and Mrs McCann and Mr Murat will gain access to police papers and the official investigation into Madeleine's disappearance will stop. |
| However, it could be reopened if fresh evidence came to light. | However, it could be reopened if fresh evidence came to light. |
| Mr and Mrs McCann's spokesman, Clarence Mitchell, said the couple would not comment in advance of the attorney general's statement. | Mr and Mrs McCann's spokesman, Clarence Mitchell, said the couple would not comment in advance of the attorney general's statement. |
| He added: "Obviously they are aware of numerous reports suggesting that the case is about to be shelved. | He added: "Obviously they are aware of numerous reports suggesting that the case is about to be shelved. |
| "If that is the case they hope that it is made very clear that their arguido status is revoked and they hope to gain access to the police files so that their private investigators can continue the search for Madeleine. | "If that is the case they hope that it is made very clear that their arguido status is revoked and they hope to gain access to the police files so that their private investigators can continue the search for Madeleine. |
| "At the end of the day that is the most important thing - finding their daughter and keeping the search going." | "At the end of the day that is the most important thing - finding their daughter and keeping the search going." |
| Last week Mr Murat received a £600,000 settlement and apology after a libel claim over allegations in 11 UK newspapers. | |
| In March Mr and Mrs McCann reached a libel settlement and got an apology from Express Newspapers for suggesting they were responsible for her death. | In March Mr and Mrs McCann reached a libel settlement and got an apology from Express Newspapers for suggesting they were responsible for her death. |
| The McCanns and Mr Murat both strongly denied any involvement in Madeleine's disappearance. | The McCanns and Mr Murat both strongly denied any involvement in Madeleine's disappearance. |