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Villa searched in Madeleine hunt Villa searched in Madeleine hunt
(about 1 hour later)
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.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.
No-one has been arrested but Portuguese police say they have been questioning three people.No-one has been arrested but Portuguese police say they have been questioning three people.
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. The villa, in Praia da Luz, is used by Robert Murat and his mother Jenny, 71, who said she did not know why it was being searched.
Four-year-old Madeleine, from Rothley, Leicestershire, disappeared on 3 May.Four-year-old Madeleine, from Rothley, Leicestershire, disappeared on 3 May.
Police statementsPolice 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.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.
He described the search at the villa and the resulting questioning as a "normal development" in the case.He described the search at the villa and the resulting questioning as a "normal development" in the case.
The villa is owned by Jenny Murat and visited by son RobertThe villa is owned by Jenny Murat and visited by son Robert
BBC correspondent Robert Hall urged caution over the significance or otherwise of the search.BBC correspondent Robert Hall urged caution over the significance or otherwise of the search.
He 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".He 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".
The search began on Monday after concerns had been raised with police and the British Embassy about Mr Murat's behaviour by Sunday Mirror journalist Lori Campbell.The search began on Monday after concerns had been raised with police and the British Embassy about Mr Murat's behaviour by Sunday Mirror journalist Lori Campbell.
Mr Murat, who described himself as half-Portuguese and told journalists he had been helping police with translation work during the investigation, is a frequent visitor to Casa Liliana.Mr Murat, who described himself as half-Portuguese and told journalists he had been helping police with translation work during the investigation, is a frequent visitor to Casa Liliana.
He 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.He 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.
Mrs Murat, a former nurse, has lived in Portugal for 40 years and brought her son and daughter up in the country.Mrs Murat, a former nurse, has lived in Portugal for 40 years and brought her son and daughter up in the country.
When asked by the BBC on Monday why the villa was being searched, she replied: "I don't know why."When asked by the BBC on Monday 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.She then said she was "not allowed" to speak to reporters, before moving away.
'Good reputation''Good reputation'
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.
The family has a very good reputation and a very good name Family friend Catherine RobertsThe family has a very good reputation and a very good name Family friend Catherine Roberts
Catherine Roberts, a friend of the family in Portugal, said Mr Murat was often seen having a coffee in the area before he went to work.Catherine Roberts, a friend of the family in Portugal, said Mr Murat was often seen having a coffee in the area before he went to work.
She added: "Jenny is very well known around here - she has lived here most of her life.She added: "Jenny is very well known around here - she has lived here most of her life.
"And the family has a very good reputation and a very good name.""And the family has a very good reputation and a very good name."
Police began searching his mother's villa at 0700 local time on Monday.Police began searching his mother's villa at 0700 local time on Monday.
Officers in white suits with facemasks were seen at the house and in its grounds on Monday evening.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.It is believed the search has included draining the villa's swimming pool.
ResilienceResilience
In the past few days, searches had been scaled back in the area immediately around the apartment where Madeleine was last seen.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.
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 she 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".The British ambassador to Portugal, John Buck, said the McCanns were showing "remarkable resilience and dignity".
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.
The collaboration between the Portuguese and British police was "truly exceptional", Mr Buck added.The collaboration between the Portuguese and British police was "truly exceptional", Mr Buck added.
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.
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.