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Madeleine's uncle defends police Uncle urges Madeleine hunt focus
(about 1 hour later)
The uncle of missing three-year-old Madeleine McCann has said criticism of the police operation is not helpful and it was more important to move forward.The uncle of missing three-year-old Madeleine McCann has said criticism of the police operation is not helpful and it was more important to move forward.
John McCann, who has been in the Algarve with Madeleine's parents, said: "Everybody's working to the same end."John McCann, who has been in the Algarve with Madeleine's parents, said: "Everybody's working to the same end."
Sections of the British media have questioned the competence of the Portuguese police leading the hunt.Sections of the British media have questioned the competence of the Portuguese police leading the hunt.
The toddler, from Leicestershire, went missing from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz six days ago. The little girl, from Leicestershire, went missing from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz six days ago.
On Wednesday, there was growing irritation in British papers over the investigation, with the Daily Mirror calling detectives "clueless" and the Daily Express claiming the Algarve police lacked experience.On Wednesday, there was growing irritation in British papers over the investigation, with the Daily Mirror calling detectives "clueless" and the Daily Express claiming the Algarve police lacked experience.
Map of resortMap of resort
Asked to comment on the reports, Mr McCann, from Glasgow, told BBC TV's Breakfast: "I don't think that's a useful avenue to explore.Asked to comment on the reports, Mr McCann, from Glasgow, told BBC TV's Breakfast: "I don't think that's a useful avenue to explore.
"I would rather take it forward in a different way and get people saying let's move on, what can we do now? And I think Gerry and Kate [Madeleine's parents] want us to focus like that." "I would rather take it forward in a different way and get people saying let's move on, what can we do now? And I think Gerry and Kate [Madeleine's parents] want us to focus like that as well."
During Mr McCann's time in Portugal, he said there had been a change in the family's outlook.
She is a wee darling, a really fantastic young girl John McCann, Madeleine's uncle
They have gone from feeling "devastated and helpless" to being buoyed by all the support they have received and were feeling more positive about the things that could be done to find Madeleine, he said.
He described his niece as quick, bright and energetic.
"She is such fun. She can be a bit stroppy at times - but what interesting kid can't be? She is a wee darling, a really fantastic young girl," he said.
The British ambassador to Portugal, John Buck, has also defended the police search.The British ambassador to Portugal, John Buck, has also defended the police search.
Police have faced criticism over their handling of the case
He said he had been assured by Portuguese authorities that "everything possible" was being done to ensure the girl's safe return.He said he had been assured by Portuguese authorities that "everything possible" was being done to ensure the girl's safe return.
On Tuesday, Portuguese officers said they had quizzed 100 people and searched 500 apartments.On Tuesday, Portuguese officers said they had quizzed 100 people and searched 500 apartments.
Two British experts have also been drafted in to work on the investigation.Two British experts have also been drafted in to work on the investigation.
Police have faced criticism over their handling of the case
Mr Buck said: "This is, and must remain, a Portuguese police investigation.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.""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."
She is a wee darling, a really fantastic young girl John McCann, Madeleine's uncle
Meanwhile, Antonio Santana Carlos, Portuguese ambassador to London, said he understood the frustrations among parts of the media with the investigation, but added that police were doing their best.Meanwhile, Antonio Santana Carlos, Portuguese ambassador to London, said he understood the frustrations among parts of the media with the investigation, but added that police were doing their best.
"It's very difficult to deal with these situations because even if you find the most prompt reaction, perhaps that is not enough.""It's very difficult to deal with these situations because even if you find the most prompt reaction, perhaps that is not enough."
During Mr McCann's time in Portugal, he said, there had been a change in the family's outlook. He rejected criticisms that the investigation took too long to get started, saying the Spanish border could not have been monitored any quicker.
They have gone from feeling "devastated and helpless" to being buoyed by all the support they have received and were feeling more positive about the things that could be done to find Madeleine, he said. Any abductor could have crossed it within an hour - long before border police were alerted, he said.
He described his niece as quick, bright and energetic. class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6629399.stm">Madeleine hunt in pictures
"She is such fun. She can be a bit stroppy at times - but what interesting kid can't be? She is a wee darling, a really fantastic young girl." he said.
A sign saying 'Come Home Soon Madeleine' was seen at a vigil
BBC correspondent Alison Roberts said the story had been widely covered on Portuguese television and radio, and was making the front page of newspapers.BBC correspondent Alison Roberts said the story had been widely covered on Portuguese television and radio, and was making the front page of newspapers.
However, she said, some Portuguese journalists have asked whether so many resources had been poured into the investigation because of Madeleine's nationality, and whether the same effort would have been made for a Portuguese child - an assurance quickly given by police.However, she said, some Portuguese journalists have asked whether so many resources had been poured into the investigation because of Madeleine's nationality, and whether the same effort would have been made for a Portuguese child - an assurance quickly given by police.
A vigil has been held in the McCanns' home village of Rothley, and staff at Leicester's three hospitals also joined in prayer.A vigil has been held in the McCanns' home village of Rothley, and staff at Leicester's three hospitals also joined in prayer.
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.
Madeleine is believed to have been taken from her bed last Thursday evening while her parents were eating at a nearby restaurant.Madeleine is believed to have been taken from her bed last Thursday evening 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.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
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