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Madeleine suspect re-questioned | Madeleine suspect re-questioned |
(19 minutes later) | |
The only official suspect in the case of the missing four-year-old Madeleine McCann has been freed by Portuguese police after a day of questioning. | |
Robert Murat, who denies involvement in Madelene's disappearance, was quizzed at a police station in the Algarve. | |
The 33-year-old British expatriate also faced interrogation two months ago - when his mother's villa was searched. | |
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. |
'Routine' | 'Routine' |
On Tuesday morning, Mr Murat attended the police station in Portimao, accompanied by his lawyer. | |
Mr Murat denies any involvement in Madeleine's disappearance | |
Detectives questioned him throughout the day and he left the station in the early evening. | |
Earlier, his spokesman Tuck Price said Mr Murat had told him the police were "going through everything again". | |
"But he sounds well and I'm sure it's just a routine thing that they have to do." | |
Mr Price added that Mr Murat hoped the questioning would mark the beginning of the end of police classification of him as a suspect and he could soon be reunited with his daughter. | Mr Price added that Mr Murat hoped the questioning would mark the beginning of the end of police classification of him as a suspect and he could soon be reunited with his daughter. |
The BBC's Alison Roberts said police had told her officers were cross-checking people's statements. | The BBC's Alison Roberts said police had told her officers were cross-checking people's statements. |
Extensive searches | |
Mr Murat was first questioned by police in May, after which officers said they did not have the evidence to formally arrest or charge anybody. | Mr Murat was first questioned by police in May, after which officers said they did not have the evidence to formally arrest or charge anybody. |
Until several years ago, the former property developer had been living in Hockering, Norfolk, with his then-wife Dawn and their young daughter. | Until several years ago, the former property developer had been living in Hockering, Norfolk, with his then-wife Dawn and their young daughter. |
But he moved back to Portugal, where he grew up, to live with his mother, Jenny, 71, at her villa, close to where Madeleine was last seen. | But he moved back to Portugal, where he grew up, to live with his mother, Jenny, 71, at her villa, close to where Madeleine was last seen. |
After Madeleine went missing, her home was searched extensively and several items were removed for examination. | After Madeleine went missing, her home was searched extensively and several items were removed for examination. |
Mr Murat claims he helped police with translation work during the early stages of the hunt for Madeleine. | Mr Murat claims he helped police with translation work during the early stages of the hunt for Madeleine. |
Justine McGuinness, spokeswoman for the McCanns, said it was a matter for Portuguese detectives and Madeleine's parents, Gerry and Kate McCann, did not wish to comment. | Justine McGuinness, spokeswoman for the McCanns, said it was a matter for Portuguese detectives and Madeleine's parents, Gerry and Kate McCann, did not wish to comment. |
They have travelled to the Vatican, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands and Morocco to urge people to help in the search for their daughter. | They have travelled to the Vatican, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands and Morocco to urge people to help in the search for their daughter. |
There have been a number of reported sightings of Madeleine, but none so far have yielded any more information on her whereabouts. | There have been a number of reported sightings of Madeleine, but none so far have yielded any more information on her whereabouts. |