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Letter publication angers McCanns Letter publication angers McCanns
(about 2 hours later)
The parents of four-year-old Madeleine McCann have condemned the decision by a Dutch newspaper to publish a letter claiming to know where her body is.The parents of four-year-old Madeleine McCann have condemned the decision by a Dutch newspaper to publish a letter claiming to know where her body is.
On his internet blog, her father said the letter and accompanying map should have been properly examined first.On his internet blog, her father said the letter and accompanying map should have been properly examined first.
Gerry McCann said the publication was "irresponsible" and "cruel" journalism.Gerry McCann said the publication was "irresponsible" and "cruel" journalism.
Police are expected to search scrubland after the letter claimed Madeleine is buried nine miles from the Algarve resort where she was last seen. Police are expected to search scrubland after the letter claimed Madeleine was buried nine miles from the Algarve resort where she was last seen.
Amsterdam-based De Telegraaf declined to comment on Mr McCann's criticisms.Amsterdam-based De Telegraaf declined to comment on Mr McCann's criticisms.
The Dutch newspaper received the letter on Monday and passed it on to police, delaying publication of the information until Wednesday.The Dutch newspaper received the letter on Monday and passed it on to police, delaying publication of the information until Wednesday.
The letter resembles another one sent to the same paper last year, pinpointing where two missing Belgian girls were buried.
Ch Insp Olegario de Sousa said police were "checking the information" given about Madeleine, who is from Rothley, Leicestershire.
'Upsetting''Upsetting'
The letter sent to De Telegraaf, identifies an area of scrubland 9.3 miles (15km) from where Madeleine vanished six weeks ago. The letter identifies an area of scrubland 9.3 miles (15km) from where Madeleine vanished six weeks ago.
She was last seen in Praia da Luz on 3 May.She was last seen in Praia da Luz on 3 May.
Portuguese police have described the information and map as "vague".
Mr McCann said: "We were extremely disappointed in the publication of the anonymous letter in The Telegraaf claiming to know where Madeleine is buried.Mr McCann said: "We were extremely disappointed in the publication of the anonymous letter in The Telegraaf claiming to know where Madeleine is buried.
"Although all information will be taken seriously, we were very upset that the credibility of this letter had not been examined and, more importantly, published before the Portuguese police had an opportunity to investigate the claim, and search the area if appropriate without massive media attention."Although all information will be taken seriously, we were very upset that the credibility of this letter had not been examined and, more importantly, published before the Portuguese police had an opportunity to investigate the claim, and search the area if appropriate without massive media attention.
"We feel strongly that this was an irresponsible piece of journalism and, even if it were true, is insensitive and cruel."We feel strongly that this was an irresponsible piece of journalism and, even if it were true, is insensitive and cruel.
"One can imagine how upsetting it is for Kate and I to hear of such claims through the media and if every piece of information was published like this there would be nothing else in the newspapers.""One can imagine how upsetting it is for Kate and I to hear of such claims through the media and if every piece of information was published like this there would be nothing else in the newspapers."
Around eight plain-clothed police officers visited the village of Arao, which is 15km from Praia da Luz, on Wednesday evening.Around eight plain-clothed police officers visited the village of Arao, which is 15km from Praia da Luz, on Wednesday evening.
They spent an hour and 20 minutes looking at fields and the surrounding area ahead of possible searches.
The BBC's Alison Roberts said police have promised to investigate the Dutch lead fully but have not given any details of what kind of resources they have for any ground searches on Thursday.
There were no signs of any ground searches taking place on Thursday morning.There were no signs of any ground searches taking place on Thursday morning.
The area being focused on is near a large reservoir, the surroundings of which were combed in the days after Madeleine's disappearance. Locals say the country road that police stopped at on Wednesday is in an area which has not been searched before, said BBC correspondent Alison Roberts.
But locals say the country road that police stopped at on Wednesday is in an area which has not been searched before, our correspondent said. According to De Telegraaf, the Madeleine letter says the four-year-old, of Rothley, Leicestershire, is buried near a dirt track north of Odiaxere in the Algarve.
'Everything necessary' Ch Insp Olegario de Sousa confirmed Portuguese police were aware of the map and were doing "everything necessary".
The Madeleine letter pinpoints a dirt track north of Odiaxere in the Algarve, according to De Telegraaf.
The paper said the letter claims Madeleine, of Rothley, Leicestershire, is buried "north of the road under branches and rocks, around six to seven metres off the road".
Beside a cross and two question marks, the sender has written "vermoedelijke vindplaats Madeleine" - the place where Madeleine can probably be found.
Ch Insp Sousa confirmed Portuguese police were aware of the map and were doing "everything necessary".
He said: "There have been exchanges between Dutch police and us.He said: "There have been exchanges between Dutch police and us.
"The information indicated an area 15km from the place of the disappearance of the little child. It is not far from Praia da Luz. We are checking the information like we check everything in this case for importance." "We are checking the information like we check everything in this case for importance."
Asked if a search would include digging, he replied: "If the information gives us a precise location where we can look, we will do it."
Similarities investigatedSimilarities investigated
Dutch police are studying similarities between the new letter and one received by De Telegraaf pointing to the whereabouts of Belgian step-sisters Stacey Lemmens, seven, and Nathalie Mahy, 10. Dutch police are studying similarities between the new letter and one received last year by De Telegraaf pointing to the whereabouts of Belgian step-sisters Stacey Lemmens, seven, and Nathalie Mahy, 10.
Dutch police spokesman Rob Van der Veen said: "While this letter is slightly less professional than the one regarding the Belgian children, we are looking at it seriously and are in contact with the Portuguese police." The Belgian girls were murdered in June 2006 after they disappearing from Liege.
The girls were murdered in June 2006 after they disappeared from a late-night fair in the town of Liege.
On the day the letter was received, police found their bodies at the spot indicated on an enclosed map.On the day the letter was received, police found their bodies at the spot indicated on an enclosed map.
A convicted paedophile, Abdullah Ait Oud, is now on remand awaiting trial for murder.A convicted paedophile, Abdullah Ait Oud, is now on remand awaiting trial for murder.
Madeleine disappeared while on holiday with her parents in Praia da Luz on 3 May. It is believed Madeleine was abducted from a holiday apartment while her parents ate at a nearby restaurant.
It is believed she was abducted from a holiday apartment while her parents ate at a nearby restaurant.
Her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, have travelled across Europe in an effort to find her.