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/6981411.stm

The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 13 Version 14
Police quiz Madeleine's mother Police quiz Madeleine's mother
(30 minutes later)
Portuguese police have re-interviewed the mother of missing Madeleine McCann. Portuguese police have interviewed the mother of missing Madeleine McCann.
Kate McCann and her husband Gerry have previously been interviewed over the disappearance of their daughter from an apartment in Praia da Luz on 3 May. Kate McCann and her husband Gerry have been interviewed once before over the disappearance of their daughter from an apartment in Praia da Luz on 3 May.
Mrs McCann was at Portimao police station for formal questioning from early on Thursday afternoon until almost an hour after midnight.Mrs McCann was at Portimao police station for formal questioning from early on Thursday afternoon until almost an hour after midnight.
She is being questioned as a witness, with her lawyer. Police have said the McCanns are not suspects. She was questioned as a witness, with her lawyer. Police have said the McCanns are not suspects.
Separately, Portuguese detectives confirmed they had the partial results of forensic tests by a UK laboratory.Separately, Portuguese detectives confirmed they had the partial results of forensic tests by a UK laboratory.
Four-year-old Madeleine, of Rothley, Leicestershire, disappeared from the family's holiday apartment while her parents were eating in a nearby restaurant.Four-year-old Madeleine, of Rothley, Leicestershire, disappeared from the family's holiday apartment while her parents were eating in a nearby restaurant.
Blood tracesBlood traces
Mrs McCann was driven to the police station in the Algarve by her husband, arriving at 1400 local time (1400 BST). She entered the police station with her sister-in-law.Mrs McCann was driven to the police station in the Algarve by her husband, arriving at 1400 local time (1400 BST). She entered the police station with her sister-in-law.
Kate is a loving, gentle mother - one of the victims in an extraordinary and terrible set of events Justine McGuinness,McCann family spokeswomanKate is a loving, gentle mother - one of the victims in an extraordinary and terrible set of events Justine McGuinness,McCann family spokeswoman
In a statement released before the interview, she appealed to her daughter's abductors, saying: "It is not too late - please let her go or call the police."In a statement released before the interview, she appealed to her daughter's abductors, saying: "It is not too late - please let her go or call the police."
She said: "We came to Portugal an ordinary family of five. We just want to know what happened on 3 May and want to be able to go home one family, reunited."She said: "We came to Portugal an ordinary family of five. We just want to know what happened on 3 May and want to be able to go home one family, reunited."
The BBC's Steve Kingstone, in Portimao, said it was understood Mrs McCann would have a formal police interview.
"This is not an informal meeting of the type the McCanns have had regularly with detectives since Madeleine disappeared," he said.
He added that a family spokeswoman had stressed Mrs McCann would be questioned as a witness not as a suspect.
Mr McCann is thought to face further questioning himself on Friday.
Madeleine was last seen on 3 May
Family spokeswoman Justine McGuinness, speaking shortly after Mrs McCann entered the police station, said: "Kate and Gerry are happy to help the police in their investigations to find their daughter Madeleine, as they have been since she was taken.Family spokeswoman Justine McGuinness, speaking shortly after Mrs McCann entered the police station, said: "Kate and Gerry are happy to help the police in their investigations to find their daughter Madeleine, as they have been since she was taken.
"Kate continues to believe that Madeleine is still alive, and to hope and pray that she will be returned soon."Kate continues to believe that Madeleine is still alive, and to hope and pray that she will be returned soon.
"Kate is a loving, gentle mother - one of the victims in an extraordinary and terrible set of events.""Kate is a loving, gentle mother - one of the victims in an extraordinary and terrible set of events."
Mrs McCann emerged from the police station at about 0100 local time (0100 BST).
Her lawyer, Carlos Pinto de Abreu, made a brief statement in which he stressed she was treated as a witness throughout the questioning and that work to find Madeleine was ongoing.
Mr McCann is expected to attend Portimao police station on Friday to be formally interviewed.
Blood tracesBlood traces
Samples, including suspected traces of blood, have been recovered from the McCanns' holiday apartment.Samples, including suspected traces of blood, have been recovered from the McCanns' holiday apartment.
The UK's Forensic Science Service has spent the past month analysing them.The UK's Forensic Science Service has spent the past month analysing them.
Madeleine was last seen on 3 May
Portuguese police spokesman Chief Inspector Olegario Sousa said partial results from tests had been received, but would give no further details.Portuguese police spokesman Chief Inspector Olegario Sousa said partial results from tests had been received, but would give no further details.
Last week, the McCanns launched a libel action against a Portuguese newspaper which claimed they killed their daughter.Last week, the McCanns launched a libel action against a Portuguese newspaper which claimed they killed their daughter.
A public statement from the director of police followed, saying the McCanns had never been viewed as suspects.A public statement from the director of police followed, saying the McCanns had never been viewed as suspects.
The McCanns have travelled extensively through Europe to raise awareness of the search for their daughter.The McCanns have travelled extensively through Europe to raise awareness of the search for their daughter.
The only person officially regarded as a suspect by police is Briton Robert Murat. He has not been arrested or charged.The only person officially regarded as a suspect by police is Briton Robert Murat. He has not been arrested or charged.
He told BBC correspondent Richard Bilton that he had not had contact with the police for a few weeks.He told BBC correspondent Richard Bilton that he had not had contact with the police for a few weeks.