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| Madeleine parents 'stay positive' | Madeleine parents 'stay positive' |
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| 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 missing Madeleine McCann say they are still hoping for the safe return of their daughter, six days after she was last seen. |
| 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 read out by a holiday firm representative, 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. | Earlier, Madeleine's uncle spoke out against criticism of the police and called for a focus on the search. |
| "Everybody's working to the same end," John McCann said. | "Everybody's working to the same end," John McCann said. |
| Three-year-old Madeleine, of Rothley, Leicestershire, went missing 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. |
| Map of resort | Map of resort |
| She is a wee darling, a really fantastic young girl John McCann, Madeleine's uncle | She is a wee darling, a really fantastic young girl John McCann, Madeleine's uncle |
| 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. | 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. |
| "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." |
| 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 Madeleine'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. | |
| 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. | Earlier, Madeleine's uncle said criticism of the investigation, carried in some British papers, was unhelpful. |
| Mr McCann, from Glasgow, told BBC TV's Breakfast: "I don't think that's a useful avenue to explore. | 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 as well." | "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." |
| 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 | 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 |
| They have gone from feeling "devastated and helpless" to being buoyed by all the support they have received, he said. | They have gone from feeling "devastated and helpless" to being buoyed by all the support they have received, he said. |
| He went on to describe his niece as quick, bright and energetic. | He went on to describe 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. | "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. |
| 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". | Madeleine's grandfather, Brian 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 case | Police 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 efforts have 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 |
| Return to top | Return to top |