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Madeleine suspect defends himself Madeleine suspect defends himself
(about 1 hour later)
The life of the British suspect in the case of missing four-year-old Madeleine McCann has "fallen apart", his cousin has told BBC News.The life of the British suspect in the case of missing four-year-old Madeleine McCann has "fallen apart", his cousin has told BBC News.
Sally Eveleigh, speaking in the Algarve on behalf of Robert Murat, said her relative vehemently denied involvement.Sally Eveleigh, speaking in the Algarve on behalf of Robert Murat, said her relative vehemently denied involvement.
Mr Murat, 33, who helped police with translation work, was questioned for 12 hours over the child's disappearance and his mother's villa was searched.Mr Murat, 33, who helped police with translation work, was questioned for 12 hours over the child's disappearance and his mother's villa was searched.
Meanwhile, a fighting fund to cover rising search costs has been launched.Meanwhile, a fighting fund to cover rising search costs has been launched.
Map of locationsMap of locations
Madeleine, from Rothley in Leicestershire, was taken from an apartment in Praia da Luz on 3 May.Madeleine, from Rothley in Leicestershire, was taken from an apartment in Praia da Luz on 3 May.
She disappeared from her bedroom as her parents ate dinner at a nearby tapas restaurant.She disappeared from her bedroom as her parents ate dinner at a nearby tapas restaurant.
Madeleine McCann disappeared on 3 MayMadeleine McCann disappeared on 3 May
Mr Murat's estranged wife Dawn said she was "assisting police in any way she could".Mr Murat's estranged wife Dawn said she was "assisting police in any way she could".
Mrs Murat, of Hockering, Norfolk, said she was going through a "very difficult time" as a result of the focus on her husband.Mrs Murat, of Hockering, Norfolk, said she was going through a "very difficult time" as a result of the focus on her husband.
"This is a very difficult time for my family," said Mrs Murat in a statement issued via Norfolk Police."This is a very difficult time for my family," said Mrs Murat in a statement issued via Norfolk Police.
"I am assisting the police in any way I can.""I am assisting the police in any way I can."
Mrs Murat said she did not want to discuss the inquiry or her relationship with Mr Murat but she added: "I have been very concerned about the disappearance of young Madeleine and like everyone else sincerely hope the search for her ends with a positive outcome."Mrs Murat said she did not want to discuss the inquiry or her relationship with Mr Murat but she added: "I have been very concerned about the disappearance of young Madeleine and like everyone else sincerely hope the search for her ends with a positive outcome."
As she issued her statement, Portuguese police began searching an apartment near the church where the McCanns have prayed on most days since their daughter's disappearance. In other developments, police searched another address in Praia da Luz on Wednesday night, removing a laptop computer and a computer hard drive.
A Russian man was taken away from the address for questioning.
No arrestsNo arrests
Meanwhile, Ms Eveleigh said her cousin was "devastated" and in "a very bad state".Meanwhile, Ms Eveleigh said her cousin was "devastated" and in "a very bad state".
She was speaking on Mr Murat's behalf because, as police were treating him as a suspect, he is not allowed to speak directly to the media under Portuguese law.She was speaking on Mr Murat's behalf because, as police were treating him as a suspect, he is not allowed to speak directly to the media under Portuguese law.
"His whole life's fallen apart just from being over-enthusiastic trying to help people as he always does - that's his way," she said."His whole life's fallen apart just from being over-enthusiastic trying to help people as he always does - that's his way," she said.
"People not knowing him have misunderstood it.""People not knowing him have misunderstood it."
Mr Murat, who previously lived in Hockering, Norfolk, has recently been living with his mother Jenny, 71, at her villa, Casa Liliana.Mr Murat, who previously lived in Hockering, Norfolk, has recently been living with his mother Jenny, 71, at her villa, Casa Liliana.
After questioning Mr Murat, officers said they did not have the evidence to formally arrest or charge anybody.After questioning Mr Murat, officers said they did not have the evidence to formally arrest or charge anybody.
This fund will be a vehicle to help our family get our darling, wee niece back John McCannMadeleine's uncle Madeleine fund launchedThis fund will be a vehicle to help our family get our darling, wee niece back John McCannMadeleine's uncle Madeleine fund launched
Earlier on Wednesday the fighting fund to help cover escalating costs in the search for Madeleine was launched at the Walkers Stadium in Leicester by her uncle John McCann.Earlier on Wednesday the fighting fund to help cover escalating costs in the search for Madeleine was launched at the Walkers Stadium in Leicester by her uncle John McCann.
Speaking at the launch, Mr McCann said: "This fund will be a vehicle to help our family get our darling, wee niece back."Speaking at the launch, Mr McCann said: "This fund will be a vehicle to help our family get our darling, wee niece back."
It was also announced that any money raised not needed for the search for Madeleine would be used to help find missing children in the UK, Portugal and elsewhere.It was also announced that any money raised not needed for the search for Madeleine would be used to help find missing children in the UK, Portugal and elsewhere.
Philomena McCann appealed to MPs for their helpPhilomena McCann appealed to MPs for their help
Also at the launch, former England and Leicester rugby union captain Martin Johnson said Madeleine's disappearance had "touched everyone".Also at the launch, former England and Leicester rugby union captain Martin Johnson said Madeleine's disappearance had "touched everyone".
Details of how to donate to the fund - at banks, by post or via the internet - can be found at www.findmadeleine.com.Details of how to donate to the fund - at banks, by post or via the internet - can be found at www.findmadeleine.com.
Earlier on Wednesday, Madeleine's aunt, Philomena McCann, of Glasgow, visited Parliament to lobby MPs and peers for support.Earlier on Wednesday, Madeleine's aunt, Philomena McCann, of Glasgow, visited Parliament to lobby MPs and peers for support.
She said that, in a personal meeting, Chancellor Gordon Brown had offered support on "a practical and a personal level".She said that, in a personal meeting, Chancellor Gordon Brown had offered support on "a practical and a personal level".
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