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Villa searched in Madeleine hunt Villa searched in Madeleine hunt
(about 1 hour later)
A detailed search has been taking place at a British woman's villa 150 yards from the Algarve apartment Madeleine McCann went missing from 11 days ago. A search has been taking place at a British woman's villa 150 yards from the Algarve apartment that Madeleine McCann went missing from 12 days ago.
Portuguese police say they are questioning three people, but there have been no arrests during the search at the villa in Praia da Luz. No-one has been arrested but Portuguese police say they have been questioning three people.
It is owned by Jenny Murat, 71, who said she did not know why it was being searched. Her son Robert visits often. The villa, in Praia da Luz, is owned by Jenny Murat, 71, who said she did not know why it was being searched. Her son Robert is also a frequent visitor.
Four-year-old Madeleine, from Rothley, Leicestershire, disappeared on 3 May.Four-year-old Madeleine, from Rothley, Leicestershire, disappeared on 3 May.
BBC correspondent Robert Hall urged caution and said developments should be seen only as "an element" of the inquiry. Police statements
Chief inspector Olegario Sousa confirmed that more than one person had been taken to make statements at the police station in the town of Portimao, where the investigation is being co-ordinated.
BBC correspondent Robert Hall urged caution over the significance of the search.
The villa is owned by Jenny Murat and visited by son Robert
Our correspondent said the villa, known as Casa Liliana, was close to where the media was based and "therefore police have been brought in to tape the area and seal it off".Our correspondent said the villa, known as Casa Liliana, was close to where the media was based and "therefore police have been brought in to tape the area and seal it off".
"Until we hear that there's been a very specific development, in terms of an arrest or the police making some formal statement, I think we should be careful about this," he added."Until we hear that there's been a very specific development, in terms of an arrest or the police making some formal statement, I think we should be careful about this," he added.
The villa is occupied by Jenny Murat and son Robert Mrs Murat, a former nurse, has lived in Portugal for 40 years and brought her son and daughter up in the country.
The single-storey villa is owned by Mrs Murat, who is a former nurse. When asked by the BBC on Monday why the villa was being searched, she replied: "I don't know why."
She has lived in Portugal for 40 years and brought her son and daughter up there. She then said she was "not allowed" to speak to reporters, before moving away.
When asked by the BBC on Monday, when she was in her garden, why the villa was being searched, she replied: "I don't know why".
She then said she was "not allowed" to speak to reporters before moving away.
Mrs Murat, believed to be a widow, has been running a stall on the seafront in Praia da Luz, appealing for information from the public about Madeleine's disappearance.Mrs Murat, believed to be a widow, has been running a stall on the seafront in Praia da Luz, appealing for information from the public about Madeleine's disappearance.
Frequent visits
Her son, Robert, who has told journalists he has been helping police with translation work during the investigation, is a frequent visitor to Casa Liliana.Her son, Robert, who has told journalists he has been helping police with translation work during the investigation, is a frequent visitor to Casa Liliana.
Police have been searching the villa since 0700 local time on Monday. Mr Murat, who described himself as half-Portuguese, is believed to have moved on his own to Portugal three years ago. He had been living with his wife and family in Hockering, Norfolk.
Officers in white suits with facemasks were seen searching the house and its grounds on Monday evening. Police began searching the villa at 0700 local time on Monday.
In the past few days, searches had been scaled back in the area immediately around where Madeleine disappeared. Officers in white suits with facemasks were seen at the house and in its grounds on Monday evening.
It is believed the search has included draining the villa's swimming pool.
In the past few days, searches had been scaled back in the area immediately around the apartment where Madeleine was last seen.
The focus had shifted instead to an international child abduction inquiry, amid suggestions she may have been taken out of Portugal.The focus had shifted instead to an international child abduction inquiry, amid suggestions she may have been taken out of Portugal.
ResilienceResilience
Earlier on Monday, Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry McCann, who is originally from Glasgow, said they would not return to the UK until Madeleine was found safe and well.Earlier on Monday, Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry McCann, who is originally from Glasgow, said they would not return to the UK until Madeleine was found safe and well.
Mr McCann said the couple would continue to believe their child was being cared for until they received "concrete evidence to the contrary". Mr McCann said the couple would continue to believe she was being cared for until they received "concrete evidence to the contrary".
Madeleine McCann disappeared on 3 MayMadeleine McCann disappeared on 3 May
And he said he and his wife had drawn "tremendous strength from the warmth and the spiritual outpouring" the couple had received "here and from all around the world".And he said he and his wife had drawn "tremendous strength from the warmth and the spiritual outpouring" the couple had received "here and from all around the world".
The British ambassador to Portugal, John Buck, said the McCanns were showing "remarkable resilience and dignity in very distressing circumstances".The British ambassador to Portugal, John Buck, said the McCanns were showing "remarkable resilience and dignity in very distressing circumstances".
He also said there were "impressive resources" being devoted to the investigation by the Portuguese authorities.He also said there were "impressive resources" being devoted to the investigation by the Portuguese authorities.
"When I spoke to the chief investigating officer today, he said that the collaboration between the Portuguese and British police was truly exceptional," Mr Buck added."When I spoke to the chief investigating officer today, he said that the collaboration between the Portuguese and British police was truly exceptional," Mr Buck added.
Fighting fundFighting fund
Rewards totalling £2.5m have been offered to anyone with information leading to the safe return of Madeleine, who was four on Saturday.Rewards totalling £2.5m have been offered to anyone with information leading to the safe return of Madeleine, who was four on Saturday.
A "fighting fund" to which members of the public can donate to help in the search for Madeleine is also being set up by her family's lawyers.A "fighting fund" to which members of the public can donate to help in the search for Madeleine is also being set up by her family's lawyers.
The legal team, which has flown out to Portugal, will reveal details of the fund within the next few days.The legal team, which has flown out to Portugal, will reveal details of the fund within the next few days.
Foreign Minister Margaret Beckett said her Portuguese counterpart was "very concerned" about the "difficult and terrible situation" the McCanns are facing.
"What we want is to get as much as attention to Madeleine's case as possible because what we want is to get her back," she said.
In the UK, a text message urging mothers to pray for Madeleine's safe return to her family is being passed on by mobile phone and in internet forums.In the UK, a text message urging mothers to pray for Madeleine's safe return to her family is being passed on by mobile phone and in internet forums.
The international number for Crime stoppers is +44 1883 731 336. People with information about Madeleine can call anonymously.The international number for Crime stoppers is +44 1883 731 336. People with information about Madeleine can call anonymously.