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Madeleine mother 'to be suspect' Madeleine mother 'to be suspect'
(40 minutes later)
Kate McCann, mother of missing four-year-old Madeleine, will be declared a suspect by the Portuguese police, the BBC has learned. Kate McCann - mother of missing four-year-old Madeleine - will be formally declared a suspect by the Portuguese police, the family has said.
The McCanns' family spokeswoman revealed that Mrs McCann will today be declared an "arguida" or formal suspect. The McCanns' spokeswoman revealed Mrs Mccann will be given "arguido" status on Friday.
Mrs McCann and her lawyer were informed of this by detectives during 11 hours of questioning yesterday. This would allow the police to put certain questions and give her the legal right to remain silent.
The McCanns have consistently denied any part in Madeleine's disappearance. Gerry McCann is set to be questioned later. Both deny any involvement in Madeleine's disappearance on 3 May.
The spokeswoman said arguida status would then allow the police to put certain questions to Madeleine's mother giving her the legal right to remain silent. Mrs McCann will become the second formal suspect in the case. The first was Robert Murat, a British man living locally. He has not been arrested or charged.
She will become the second formal suspect in the case. The first was Robert Murat, a British man living locally. 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 Kate McCann
Mrs McCann's husband Gerry is expected to be questioned on Friday afternoon about Madeleine's disappearance from an apartment in Praia da Luz on 3 May. Mrs McCann had been interviewed before by police, but yesterday was the first time her lawyer had been present.
Mrs McCann had been interviewed before by police, but this was the first time her lawyer had been present.
She was questioned as a witness until after midnight on Thursday. Police have previously said the McCanns are not suspects.She was questioned as a witness until after midnight on Thursday. Police have previously said the McCanns are not suspects.
Separately, Portuguese detectives confirmed they had the partial results of forensic tests by a UK laboratory. Madeleine, of Rothley, Leicestershire, disappeared from the family's holiday apartment while her parents were eating in a nearby restaurant.
In a statement released before her interview yesterday, 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."
Mrs McCann's husband Gerry is expected to be questioned on Friday about Madeleine's disappearance from an apartment in Praia da Luz, Algarve.
Blood traces
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.
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.
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 neither Kate nor Gerry McCann had ever been viewed as suspects.
The McCanns have travelled extensively through Europe to raise awareness of the search for their daughter.