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| Diplomat defends Madeleine hunt | |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| The British ambassador to Portugal has defended the police search for Madeleine McCann, missing from a holiday apartment in the Algarve. | The British ambassador to Portugal has defended the police search for Madeleine McCann, missing from a holiday apartment in the Algarve. |
| John Buck said he had been assured by the Portuguese authorities that "everything possible" was being done to ensure the toddler's safe return. | John Buck said he had been assured by the Portuguese authorities that "everything possible" was being done to ensure the toddler's safe return. |
| His comments came after police said they had stepped up their efforts. | His comments came after police said they had stepped up their efforts. |
| The three-year-old, from Leicestershire, disappeared from a resort in Praia da Luz six days ago. | The three-year-old, from Leicestershire, disappeared from a resort in Praia da Luz six days ago. |
| Map of resort | Map of resort |
| Portuguese officers said they had quizzed 100 people and searched 500 apartments following criticism of the operation. | Portuguese officers said they had quizzed 100 people and searched 500 apartments following criticism of the operation. |
| Mr Buck said he had met Madeleine's parents Gerry and Kate again on Monday, and was continuing to support consular staff in the Algarve. | Mr Buck said he had met Madeleine's parents Gerry and Kate again on Monday, and was continuing to support consular staff in the Algarve. |
| He said additional British experts arrived on Monday to work with the Portuguese on the case. | He said additional British experts arrived on Monday to work with the Portuguese on the case. |
| Mr Buck said: "This is, and must remain, a Portuguese police investigation. As you know, the Portuguese police operate under Portuguese law, and Portuguese law puts constraints on what they can say publicly and the information they can release." | Mr Buck said: "This is, and must remain, a Portuguese police investigation. As you know, the Portuguese police operate under Portuguese law, and Portuguese law puts constraints on what they can say publicly and the information they can release." |
| He added: "I, and I know Kate and Gerry, with whom I've just been speaking for the past hour, are very grateful for their efforts." | He added: "I, and I know Kate and Gerry, with whom I've just been speaking for the past hour, are very grateful for their efforts." |
| 'Mistaken identity' | 'Mistaken identity' |
| Portuguese television had reported that a man and a child matching Madeleine's description were seen driving off in a car from the town of Nelas, about 300 miles (483km) north of Praia da Luz. | Portuguese television had reported that a man and a child matching Madeleine's description were seen driving off in a car from the town of Nelas, about 300 miles (483km) north of Praia da Luz. |
| However, police - who are following up 350 pieces of information - said the sighting was a case of mistaken identity. | However, police - who are following up 350 pieces of information - said the sighting was a case of mistaken identity. |
| Chief Inspector Olegario de Sousa, of the Portuguese police, said: "It was not Madeleine. It was a child who looks like Madeleine, but she is a child who lives in the area." | Chief Inspector Olegario de Sousa, of the Portuguese police, said: "It was not Madeleine. It was a child who looks like Madeleine, but she is a child who lives in the area." |
| A sign saying 'Come Home Soon Madeleine' was seen at a vigil | A sign saying 'Come Home Soon Madeleine' was seen at a vigil |
| He said officers were maintaining a "high level" of effort to find Madeleine, as well as gathering evidence about her disappearance. | He said officers were maintaining a "high level" of effort to find Madeleine, as well as gathering evidence about her disappearance. |
| The force had been criticised for not keeping the public informed. | The force had been criticised for not keeping the public informed. |
| Mr Sousa's press conference, where he listed the action taken by his officers, came after intense pressure from the media. | Mr Sousa's press conference, where he listed the action taken by his officers, came after intense pressure from the media. |
| He told assembled journalists that an area with a radius of 15km (10 miles) around the Algarve resort had been searched - along with hundreds of nearby apartments. | |
| Antonio Santana Carlos, the country's UK ambassador, said the case was of "great concern" to Portugal and asked people to trust the police. | Antonio Santana Carlos, the country's UK ambassador, said the case was of "great concern" to Portugal and asked people to trust the police. |
| Footballers including England captain John Terry and Portuguese players Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Ferreira, who both play in England, have appealed for anyone with information to come forward. | Footballers including England captain John Terry and Portuguese players Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Ferreira, who both play in England, have appealed for anyone with information to come forward. |
| A set of pyjamas identical to the ones Madeleine was wearing | A set of pyjamas identical to the ones Madeleine was wearing |
| Meanwhile, villagers in Rothley, where the McCanns are from, have held a silent vigil to show their support. | Meanwhile, villagers in Rothley, where the McCanns are from, have held a silent vigil to show their support. |
| Staff at Leicester's three hospitals also joined in prayer for the McCann family. | Staff at Leicester's three hospitals also joined in prayer for the McCann family. |
| Madeleine's father is a consultant cardiologist at the city's Glenfield Hospital and her mother is a GP. | Madeleine's father is a consultant cardiologist at the city's Glenfield Hospital and her mother is a GP. |
| The McCann family have confirmed she was wearing white pyjama bottoms with a small floral design and a short-sleeved pink top with a picture of Winnie the Pooh character Eeyore when she disappeared. | The McCann family have confirmed she was wearing white pyjama bottoms with a small floral design and a short-sleeved pink top with a picture of Winnie the Pooh character Eeyore when she disappeared. |
| She is believed to have been taken from her bed while her parents were eating at a nearby restaurant. | She is believed to have been taken from her bed while her parents were eating at a nearby restaurant. |
| They had been regularly checking on her and their two-year-old twins, Sean and Amelie, before she went missing. | |
| The complex where Madeleine disappeared | The complex where Madeleine disappeared |
| Return to top | Return to top |