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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 locations | Map 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 May | Madeleine 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." |
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 arrests | No 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 launched | This 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 help | Philomena 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". |
Back up | Back up |