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McCanns vow to continue searching McCanns vow to continue searching
(20 minutes later)
The parents of Madeleine McCann insist they "will never give up" on her, despite the case being shelved by Portugal's attorney general. Madeleine McCann's parents insist they "will never give up" on her, despite the inquiry into her disappearance being shelved by Portuguese officials.
Kate and Gerry McCann said it had been "utterly despairing" to be made suspects in her disappearance. Kate and Gerry McCann and a third British national, Robert Murat, are also now no longer formal suspects.
The couple and a third British national, Robert Murat, have now had their status as formal suspects lifted. The McCanns, of Rothley, Leics, said it had been "utterly despairing" to be suspects in the case, but said: "Our priority has always been the search."
Madeleine, of Rothley, Leicestershire, disappeared from Praia da Luz in the Algarve on 3 May 2007, aged three. Mr Murat said he was "very relieved" at the decision.
The McCanns and Mr Murat all strongly denied having had any involvement in Madeleine's disappearance from a holiday apartment. Madeleine disappeared from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, in the Algarve, on 3 May 2007, aged three.
On Monday, Portugal's attorney-general, Fernando Jose Pinto Monteiro, said the 14-month investigation had uncovered no evidence of a crime by any of the suspects or "arguidos". The McCanns and Mr Murat all strongly denied having had any involvement in what happened to her.
On Monday, Portugal's attorney-general, Fernando Jose Pinto Monteiro, lifted their suspect - or arguido - status, saying the 14-month investigation had uncovered no evidence of a crime by any of them.
He said the case could be reopened if new evidence emerged from any "serious, pertinent and authoritative source".He said the case could be reopened if new evidence emerged from any "serious, pertinent and authoritative source".
Libel case 'Devastating'
Later Mrs McCann told a press conference in Rothley that while they welcomed the day's announcement, there was "no cause for celebration".Later Mrs McCann told a press conference in Rothley that while they welcomed the day's announcement, there was "no cause for celebration".
Kate and Gerry McCann pledged to continue the search for their daughter
"It's hard to describe how utterly despairing it was to be named arguido and subsequently portrayed in the media as suspects in our own daughter's abduction and worse," she said."It's hard to describe how utterly despairing it was to be named arguido and subsequently portrayed in the media as suspects in our own daughter's abduction and worse," she said.
"Equally, it has been devastating to witness the effect this status has had on the search for Madeleine." "Equally, it has been devastating to witness the effect this status has had on the search for Madeleine.
"We look forward to scrutinising the police files to see what has actually been done and more importantly what can still be done as we leave no stone unturned in the search for our little girl."
Mrs McCann thanked everyone who had supported the family, adding: "We can assure you we will never give up on Madeleine."
Mr McCann said the couple had no immediate plans to return to Portugal.
When asked whether he may take legal action against the Portuguese authorities, he said the search for Madeleine remained the priority and "anything else is secondary and will be considered in due course".
The McCanns' spokesman Clarence Mitchell said their lawyers would be able to examine the police case files by the end of the week.The McCanns' spokesman Clarence Mitchell said their lawyers would be able to examine the police case files by the end of the week.
The couple hope information within them could help their own private investigators continue the search for their daughter.The couple hope information within them could help their own private investigators continue the search for their daughter.
"The main thing now is to get everything back to finding Madeleine. All of this has damaged their good reputations and they will have to assess where they go from here," Mr Mitchell said. In March, Mr and Mrs McCann received a libel settlement of £550,000, which went to the fund set up to find her, and an apology from Express Newspapers for suggesting they were responsible for her death.
In March Mr and Mrs McCann received a libel settlement of £550,000, which went to the fund set up to find her, and an apology from Express Newspapers for suggesting they were responsible for her death. Mr Murat is currently in the UK with family and friends.
Mr Murat, who is currently in the UK with family and friends, said he was "very relieved" at the end of his arguido status.
He told BBC News: "I think it will take a couple more days to sink in and become reality.He told BBC News: "I think it will take a couple more days to sink in and become reality.
"It's been completely devastating. It's a case of rebuilding from now. My immediate plans now are to spend some time with my family.""It's been completely devastating. It's a case of rebuilding from now. My immediate plans now are to spend some time with my family."
Last week Mr Murat received a £600,000 settlement and apology after a libel claim over allegations in 11 UK newspapers.Last week Mr Murat received a £600,000 settlement and apology after a libel claim over allegations in 11 UK newspapers.