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Madeleine parents 'stay positive' Madeleine parents 'stay positive'
(about 2 hours later)
The parents of missing Madeleine McCann say they are still hoping for the safe return of their daughter, six days after she was last seen. The parents of Madeleine McCann say they still hope for her safe return, six days after she went missing from a Portugal holiday complex.
In a statement read out by a holiday firm representative, Kate and Gerry McCann said they were focusing their efforts and emotions on finding her. In a statement, Kate and Gerry McCann said they were focusing their efforts and emotions on finding her.
Earlier, Madeleine's uncle spoke out against criticism of the police and called for a focus on the search. Other family members have spoken out against criticism of the police made in the Portuguese and British media.
"Everybody's working to the same end," John McCann said. Three-year-old Madeleine, of Rothley, Leicestershire, disappeared from an apartment in Praia da Luz six days ago.
Three-year-old Madeleine, of Rothley, Leicestershire, went missing from an apartment in Praia da Luz six days ago. The parents' statement, read out by Alex Woolfall, spokesman for the operator of the resort where the family were staying, said: "We are grateful to all of those currently taking part in the search for our daughter Madeleine.
MADELEINE APPEAL Madeleine's family have created a poster appealing for people with information to call Crimestoppers Download the poster [400 KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
The parents' statement, read out by Alex Woolfall, a representative of the operator of the resort where the family were staying, said: "We are grateful to all of those currently taking part in the search for our daughter Madeleine.
Map of resortMap of resort
"At present, we are channelling all of our emotions and all of our efforts into the steps that are being taken to secure Madeleine's safe return.""At present, we are channelling all of our emotions and all of our efforts into the steps that are being taken to secure Madeleine's safe return."
She is a wee darling, a really fantastic young girl John McCann, Madeleine's uncle MADELEINE APPEAL Madeleine's family have created a poster appealing for people with information to call Crimestoppers class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/09_05_07_madeleine.pdf">Download the poster [400 KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader href="http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html">Download the reader here
Meanwhile, a sexually motivated abduction is emerging as the main line of inquiry for police investigating Madeleine's disappearance, BBC correspondent Matthew Presland said. Meanwhile, a sexually-motivated abduction is emerging as the main line of inquiry for police investigating the child's disappearance, BBC correspondent Matthew Presland said.
Police have also been handed CCTV footage showing a woman with a girl fitting Madeleine's description at a service station just a few miles from where she was abducted.Police have also been handed CCTV footage showing a woman with a girl fitting Madeleine's description at a service station just a few miles from where she was abducted.
The woman was said to be urging the girl to say "thank you" to staff, but the youngster had appeared reluctant.The woman was said to be urging the girl to say "thank you" to staff, but the youngster had appeared reluctant.
British child abduction experts have flown to Portugal to join in the hunt. British child-abduction experts have flown to Portugal to join in the hunt.
Earlier, Madeleine's uncle said criticism of the investigation, carried in some British papers, was unhelpful. 'Very distraught'
Mr McCann, from Glasgow, told BBC TV's Breakfast: "I don't think that's a useful avenue to explore. Madeleine's grandparents, Brian and Susan Healey, have spoken of the strain that her parents are under.
"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." Mrs Healey told Sky News that the couple, who are Catholic, were drawing strength from each other, prayers, support, sympathy and kindness.
He added that during his time in Portugal there had been a change in the family's outlook. Madeleine hunt in pictures Show reconsiders kidnap plot Madeleine hunt in pictures Show reconsiders kidnap plot
They have gone from feeling "devastated and helpless" to being buoyed by all the support they have received, he said. "They can pull it together when they have to, but obviously there are times when they are very distraught," she said.
He went on to describe his niece as quick, bright and energetic. Mrs Healey added that the inexperience of the Portuguese police possibly led to mistakes initially, but debating what went wrong "doesn't achieve anything".
"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. "We just have to move on and just pray that because of the publicity, for which we're grateful, somebody will come forward."
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.
Madeleine's grandfather, Brian Healey, said that people who criticised the parents for leaving the children are "misguided and have got it wrong". Mr Healey said that people who criticised the parents for leaving the children are "misguided and have got it wrong".
Their comments came after the British ambassador to Portugal, John Buck, defended the police search.Their comments came after the British ambassador to Portugal, John Buck, defended the police search.
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.
Police have faced criticism over their handling of the casePolice have faced criticism over their handling of the case
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.
Portuguese police have also rejected local media claims that more efforts have been put in than would have been made for a Portuguese child. Portuguese police have also rejected local media claims that more effort has been put in than would have been made for a Portuguese child.
A Downing Street spokesman said these were difficult days for the family and for those trying to lead the investigation, and said help was being given wherever possible.A Downing Street spokesman said these were difficult days for the family and for those trying to lead the investigation, and said help was being given wherever possible.
Mark Warner Holidays, operator of the resort, said it has received more than 400 messages of support for the McCanns from 20 countries.Mark Warner Holidays, operator of the resort, said it has received more than 400 messages of support for the McCanns from 20 countries.
An online appeal to help find Madeleine has also been set up.An online appeal to help find Madeleine has also been set up.
The appeal, created by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre and the Virtual Global Taskforce, is available in English, Portuguese and Spanish on www.ceop.gov.uk.The appeal, created by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre and the Virtual Global Taskforce, is available in English, Portuguese and Spanish on www.ceop.gov.uk.
Crimestoppers have also set up an international number - +44 1883 731 336 - which people with information can call anonymously.Crimestoppers have also set up an international number - +44 1883 731 336 - which people with information can call anonymously.
The complex where Madeleine disappeared The complex where Madeleine disappeared
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