This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6941556.stm
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 6 | Version 7 |
---|---|
Prayers to mark missing Madeleine | Prayers to mark missing Madeleine |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The parents of missing Madeleine McCann are marking 100 days since her disappearance with a church service. | The parents of missing Madeleine McCann are marking 100 days since her disappearance with a church service. |
The couple are attending the service at a church in the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz from where she vanished. | The couple are attending the service at a church in the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz from where she vanished. |
Back in Britain, the four-year-old's grandparents are taking to the streets to hand out balloons, stickers and posters to highlight her plight. | Back in Britain, the four-year-old's grandparents are taking to the streets to hand out balloons, stickers and posters to highlight her plight. |
It comes amid unconfirmed reports in Portuguese newspapers that police now think the missing girl is dead. | It comes amid unconfirmed reports in Portuguese newspapers that police now think the missing girl is dead. |
Her parents, Kate and Gerry, say they still believe their daughter is alive. | Her parents, Kate and Gerry, say they still believe their daughter is alive. |
A hundred days is a landmark of sorts Madeleine's great uncle Brian Kennedy | A hundred days is a landmark of sorts Madeleine's great uncle Brian Kennedy |
In recent days they have been forced to deny allegations they were somehow involved. | In recent days they have been forced to deny allegations they were somehow involved. |
In the family's home town of Rothley, in Leicestershire, relatives and friends of the McCanns marked the 100-day milestone with a quiet vigil at the local Catholic church. | In the family's home town of Rothley, in Leicestershire, relatives and friends of the McCanns marked the 100-day milestone with a quiet vigil at the local Catholic church. |
About 50 people gathered at the Sacred Heart Church to say prayers and light candles for Madeleine on Friday night. | About 50 people gathered at the Sacred Heart Church to say prayers and light candles for Madeleine on Friday night. |
Her great-uncle, Brian Kennedy, said: "A hundred days is a landmark of sorts. At 50 days we hoped at the time that we would not be here another 50 days later but here we are and so it goes on." | Her great-uncle, Brian Kennedy, said: "A hundred days is a landmark of sorts. At 50 days we hoped at the time that we would not be here another 50 days later but here we are and so it goes on." |
Her grandparents Brian and Susan Healey will be keeping her profile high as they take to the streets of Liverpool with balloons and stickers. | Her grandparents Brian and Susan Healey will be keeping her profile high as they take to the streets of Liverpool with balloons and stickers. |
100 days of searching | 100 days of searching |
In Britain, there will be prayers and pledges of support by sports stars, including England rugby star Jonny Wilkinson, jockey Frankie Dettori and Everton Football Club. | In Britain, there will be prayers and pledges of support by sports stars, including England rugby star Jonny Wilkinson, jockey Frankie Dettori and Everton Football Club. |
Teams in the Premiership have been wearing T-shirts with Madeleine's image during their pre-match warm ups. | |
Among the international events is a Mass being held in the pilgrimage town of Lourdes, France. | |
And a lone piper played a specially written lament for the missing girl at an international bagpipe event in Glasgow. | |
On Friday, the McCanns helped launch a new section on the video-sharing website YouTube which will show footage of missing children. | On Friday, the McCanns helped launch a new section on the video-sharing website YouTube which will show footage of missing children. |
The Don't You Forget About Me channel will be managed by the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children in Washington DC. | The Don't You Forget About Me channel will be managed by the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children in Washington DC. |
The couple has come under intense media pressure as police reportedly move away from the assumption that Madeleine was abducted from the family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz on 3 May. | The couple has come under intense media pressure as police reportedly move away from the assumption that Madeleine was abducted from the family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz on 3 May. |
'Shift in investigation' | 'Shift in investigation' |
Under Portuguese law, police are not allowed to speak publicly about the details of an investigation but a spokesman has said there were indications to contradict the view that she was abducted. | Under Portuguese law, police are not allowed to speak publicly about the details of an investigation but a spokesman has said there were indications to contradict the view that she was abducted. |
Meanwhile, suspected traces of blood from the Algarve apartment where Madeleine was last seen are being tested in Birmingham by UK scientists. The couple have met detectives twice this week but are understood to be frustrated by a lack of clear information. | Meanwhile, suspected traces of blood from the Algarve apartment where Madeleine was last seen are being tested in Birmingham by UK scientists. The couple have met detectives twice this week but are understood to be frustrated by a lack of clear information. |
Mr McCann told the BBC: "It's incredibly difficult when people are implying that your daughter is dead and that you may have been involved in it. | Mr McCann told the BBC: "It's incredibly difficult when people are implying that your daughter is dead and that you may have been involved in it. |
"I had a fairly strong belief that there was a lack of evidence, certainly initially, that there was no evidence of serious harm and I do not know of any specific evidence now that alters that." | "I had a fairly strong belief that there was a lack of evidence, certainly initially, that there was no evidence of serious harm and I do not know of any specific evidence now that alters that." |
He acknowledged there had been a "shift in the investigation". | He acknowledged there had been a "shift in the investigation". |
He suggested detectives could be "starting with a new slate", fuelling speculation Robert Murat, the only official suspect in the case, would soon be formally cleared. | He suggested detectives could be "starting with a new slate", fuelling speculation Robert Murat, the only official suspect in the case, would soon be formally cleared. |
Madeleine's mother Kate said: "All we want is Madeleine back, and the truth to be out. Anything else we'll stay strong and we'll get through." | Madeleine's mother Kate said: "All we want is Madeleine back, and the truth to be out. Anything else we'll stay strong and we'll get through." |