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Madeleine search given £1m reward Madeleine search given £1m reward
(about 1 hour later)
A businessman has offered a £1m reward for information leading to the return of missing Madeleine McCann.A businessman has offered a £1m reward for information leading to the return of missing Madeleine McCann.
The money has been put up by tycoon Stephen Winyard, 57, who owns Stobo Castle in the Scottish Borders.The money has been put up by tycoon Stephen Winyard, 57, who owns Stobo Castle in the Scottish Borders.
Madeleine's father Gerry said he and wife Kate would leave "no stone unturned" and that there was a strong desire by the police to find her.Madeleine's father Gerry said he and wife Kate would leave "no stone unturned" and that there was a strong desire by the police to find her.
The three-year-old, from Rothley, Leicestershire, disappeared at a resort in Praia da Luz, Portugal, on 3 May.The three-year-old, from Rothley, Leicestershire, disappeared at a resort in Praia da Luz, Portugal, on 3 May.
The official ground search for Madeleine in the Algarve has ended but police say they still have significant leads to follow up. In Glasgow, a vigil and prayer service will be held on Friday evening by Mr and Mrs McCann's colleagues from the medical profession at St Andrew's Roman Catholic Cathedral.
The official ground search for Madeleine in the Algarve has ended, but police say they still have significant leads to follow up.
Volunteers are continuing to search various points around the resort.Volunteers are continuing to search various points around the resort.
'Swing balance''Swing balance'
Mr Winyard, a father-of-three who lives in Monaco, said he was moved to offer the reward by photographs of Madeleine's distraught parents.Mr Winyard, a father-of-three who lives in Monaco, said he was moved to offer the reward by photographs of Madeleine's distraught parents.
He told The Times: "When I saw their faces, I felt frustrated that no one else had yet come forward offering a substantial reward, and so felt compelled to do so myself."He told The Times: "When I saw their faces, I felt frustrated that no one else had yet come forward offering a substantial reward, and so felt compelled to do so myself."
Madeleine's great-uncle, Brian Kennedy, said Mr Winyard's offer was enormously generous.Madeleine's great-uncle, Brian Kennedy, said Mr Winyard's offer was enormously generous.
Mr Kennedy told BBC News: "If money can swing the balance then that's fine. The only concern is that we do hear that there are restrictions on advertising such things in Portugal. Mr Kennedy told BBC News: "If money can swing the balance then that's fine."
"So if the reward is made, if the reward is offered, perhaps through you and the rest of the media we can get that message out over there."
Map of resortMap of resort
In a statement, with his wife at his side, Mr McCann said they had seen at first hand how strong the police's desire was to find Madeleine.In a statement, with his wife at his side, Mr McCann said they had seen at first hand how strong the police's desire was to find Madeleine.
He said: "We are doing absolutely everything to assist the police with their investigation and we will leave no stone unturned in the search for our daughter Madeleine.He said: "We are doing absolutely everything to assist the police with their investigation and we will leave no stone unturned in the search for our daughter Madeleine.
"We are very grateful for all the efforts and offers of support that we have had from home and around the world."We are very grateful for all the efforts and offers of support that we have had from home and around the world.
"We have been moved by the enormous willingness of people to do all they can to help find Madeleine.""We have been moved by the enormous willingness of people to do all they can to help find Madeleine."
He said he and his wife were positive and focussed on the investigation. He said he and his wife were positive and focused on the investigation.
International inquiryInternational inquiry
The Portuguese police's Chief Inspector Olegario de Sousa said ground searches, which have covered nearly 80 square miles, were being scaled back as the results were "zero". The Portuguese police's Chief Inspector Olegario de Sousa said ground searches, which have covered nearly 80 square miles, were being scaled back as the results had been "zero".
He insisted officers were doing all they could to find Madeleine.He insisted officers were doing all they could to find Madeleine.
The BBC's Steve Kingstone in the Algarve says that while police are circulating information abroad through Interpol, helicopter and dog teams which have scoured the area around Praia da Luz will soon be stood down. Police are still circulating information abroad through Interpol, but helicopter and dog teams which have scoured the area around Praia da Luz will soon be stood down.
The focus was shifting from being a local search for Madeleine to an international child abduction inquiry, he added. The focus is shifting from being a local search for Madeleine to an international child abduction inquiry.
Police with dogs searched the McCann's holiday apartment again on Thursday evening.Police with dogs searched the McCann's holiday apartment again on Thursday evening.
Officers said it was the last time they would search the block to look for clues. The wider search in the area is expected to end in the next few days.Officers said it was the last time they would search the block to look for clues. The wider search in the area is expected to end in the next few days.
Madeleine hunt in pictures Show reconsiders kidnap plot City vigil for Madeleine Madeleine hunt in pictures Show reconsiders kidnap plot City vigil for Madeleine
Mr Sousa said Madeleine's parents, and several of their British friends, had been interviewed again on Thursday, but there were "no suspicions on them".Mr Sousa said Madeleine's parents, and several of their British friends, had been interviewed again on Thursday, but there were "no suspicions on them".
Police and volunteers had searched a 200sq km (77sq mile) area - and some locations more than once, he said.Police and volunteers had searched a 200sq km (77sq mile) area - and some locations more than once, he said.
On Thursday, teams, including many British volunteers, again scoured the area for anything that might lead them to the child. Media reports about leads have focused on CCTV footage from a petrol station on the night of Madeleine's disappearance.
The BBC's Alison Roberts said media reports about leads had focused on CCTV footage from a petrol station on the night of Madeleine's disappearance.
It was thought to feature two men and a woman driving a car with a British number plate.It was thought to feature two men and a woman driving a car with a British number plate.
Police declined to confirm or deny reports about any possible leads, citing Portuguese law. Police have declined to confirm or deny reports about any possible leads, citing Portuguese law.
They have checked various CCTV images but no arrests have been made. Mr Sousa did say various CCTV images had been checked, however.
But Mr Sousa did say "images of video surveillance" had been collected from several locations.
Football armbandsFootball armbands
Former England football captain David Beckham will make a televised appeal urging the safe return of Madeleine. Former England football captain David Beckham will make a televised appeal in Spain urging the safe return of Madeleine.
Celtic and Aberdeen footballers will show solidarity by wearing yellow armbands during their match on Saturday.
In Glasgow, a vigil and prayer service will be held by Mr and Mrs McCann's colleagues from the medical profession at St Andrew's Roman Catholic Cathedral.
British child abduction experts have flown to Portugal to assist the investigation.British child abduction experts have flown to Portugal to assist the investigation.
The UK's Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP), which works to tackle child sex abuse, has launched a poster campaign appealing for information on Madeleine's disappearance.The UK's Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP), which works to tackle child sex abuse, has launched a poster campaign appealing for information on Madeleine's disappearance.
The international number for Crimestoppers is +44 1883 731 336. People with information about Madeleine can call anonymously.The international number for Crimestoppers is +44 1883 731 336. People with information about Madeleine can call anonymously.
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