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/6983604.stm

The article has changed 23 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 15 Version 16
Police 'suspect McCann parents' Police 'suspect McCann parents'
(about 5 hours later)
Both parents of missing Madeleine McCann have been named formal suspects in her disappearance by Portuguese police, according to their lawyer. Portuguese police have named both parents of Madeleine McCann as formal suspects in her disappearance.
Gerry McCann was officially given "arguido" status 24 hours after his wife Kate, Carlos Pinto de Abreu said. Gerry McCann was officially given "arguido" status 24 hours after his wife Kate. They had been questioned separately for a total of 14 hours.
He added that no bail conditions or charges had been imposed. The couple both deny any involvement. No bail conditions or charges have been imposed and both deny any involvement in Madeleine's disappearance on 3 May.
Earlier, a family spokesman said Portuguese officers believe Kate McCann accidentally killed her daughter.Earlier, a family spokesman said Portuguese officers believe Kate McCann accidentally killed her daughter.
Asked whether the couple were still protesting their innocence, family spokesman David Hughes said: "They certainly are." Asked whether the couple, both 39, were still protesting their innocence, family spokesman David Hughes said: "They certainly are."
'Very low'
Mr McCann refused to speak to reporters as he left police headquarters in Portimao after eight hours of questioning.Mr McCann refused to speak to reporters as he left police headquarters in Portimao after eight hours of questioning.
It is understood Kate McCann refused to "cut a deal" of two years in prison in exchange for a confession. It is understood Kate McCann, refused to "cut a deal" of two years in prison in exchange for a confession.
She underwent a second day of questioning on Friday.She underwent a second day of questioning on Friday.
Under Portuguese law, police are not allowed to publicly give details of ongoing investigations.Under Portuguese law, police are not allowed to publicly give details of ongoing investigations.
Mr McCann's sister, Philomena, claimed the Portuguese police had offered Kate McCann a "deal" if she made a confession.
"What the Portuguese police have tried to do is get Kate to confess that she accidentally killed Madeleine," she told BBC News.
Jon Corner, a close family friend, said Kate McCann had told him officers had tried to "cut her a deal" where she would only serve two years in jail.Jon Corner, a close family friend, said Kate McCann had told him officers had tried to "cut her a deal" where she would only serve two years in jail.
He added that she was feeling "very down, very low" and "deflated".He added that she was feeling "very down, very low" and "deflated".
Another family representative said officers believed that traces of Madeleine's blood were in the McCanns' car, hired 25 days after she vanished. Another family representative said officers believed that traces of four-year-old Madeleine's blood were in the McCanns' car, hired 25 days after she vanished.
'Ludicrous allegations'
Mr McCann arrived at the police headquarters at 1535 BST. He was not questioned with Mrs McCann, who left shortly afterwards.Mr McCann arrived at the police headquarters at 1535 BST. He was not questioned with Mrs McCann, who left shortly afterwards.
'Ordinary family'
The "suspect" status allows the authorities to put certain questions to Mr and Mrs McCann, and also gives her the right to remain silent.The "suspect" status allows the authorities to put certain questions to Mr and Mrs McCann, and also gives her the right to remain silent.
ARGUIDO/ARGUIDA STATUS Officially a suspectBestowed by police or requested by individualRight to remain silentRight to a lawyerMust report to police every five daysARGUIDO/ARGUIDA STATUS Officially a suspectBestowed by police or requested by individualRight to remain silentRight to a lawyerMust report to police every five days
The first formal suspect was Robert Murat, a British man living locally.The first formal suspect was Robert Murat, a British man living locally.
Mr and Mrs McCann have not been arrested or charged.Mr and Mrs McCann have not been arrested or charged.
The couple vehemently denies any involvement in Madeleine's disappearance on 3 May.
'We will fight this'
The BBC's Richard Bilton, in Portimao, said a McCann family source had told him the questioning on Friday had been firm.
"What we have heard is that the impression Kate McCann got from the detective is that they do think she is responsible for the death of Madeleine, a thought she says is absolutely horrifying," he said.
He added that the couple had called for an independent review of the evidence.
McCann family spokesman David Hughes said: "She is suspected of accidentally killing her daughter."McCann family spokesman David Hughes said: "She is suspected of accidentally killing her daughter."
Earlier another McCann representative, Justine McGuinness, said: "They [the police] believe they have evidence to show that in some way she's involved in the death of her daughter, which of course is completely ludicrous.
"They have suggested that blood has been found in a hire car that they hired 25 days after Madeleine was taken."
In his latest diary entry on a website publicising the search for Madeleine, Mr McCann wrote: "The suggestion that Kate is involved in Madeleine's disappearance is ludicrous.In his latest diary entry on a website publicising the search for Madeleine, Mr McCann wrote: "The suggestion that Kate is involved in Madeleine's disappearance is ludicrous.
"Anyone who knows anything about 3 May knows that Kate is completely innocent. We will fight this all the way and we will not stop looking for Madeleine.""Anyone who knows anything about 3 May knows that Kate is completely innocent. We will fight this all the way and we will not stop looking for Madeleine."
Whistles and shouts
Meanwhile, friends of the family said that Mrs McCann has been told by her lawyer that she could be charged in connection with the disappearance of her daughter.Meanwhile, friends of the family said that Mrs McCann has been told by her lawyer that she could be charged in connection with the disappearance of her daughter.
It is understood that after questioning Mrs McCann on Thursday, police said they had 22 questions they wanted to ask her during Friday's interview.It is understood that after questioning Mrs McCann on Thursday, police said they had 22 questions they wanted to ask her during Friday's interview.
Madeleine was last seen on 3 MayMadeleine was last seen on 3 May
Ms McGuinness said: "Just before the session ended last night, the police made it clear they had some further questions to ask which would require her to be in arguida status rather than just witness status."
She added: "She is shocked and surprised in several ways. First of all that such an accusation could be made against her. And obviously she is concerned that such a line of investigation can become a distraction from further attempts to find Madeleine."
SamplesSamples
Madeleine, of Rothley, Leicestershire, disappeared from the family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz while her parents were eating in a nearby restaurant.Madeleine, of Rothley, Leicestershire, disappeared from the family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz while her parents were eating in a nearby restaurant.
Mrs McCann had been interviewed by police the day after Madeleine disappeared, but Thursday was the first time her lawyer had been present.Mrs McCann had been interviewed by police the day after Madeleine disappeared, but Thursday was the first time her lawyer had been present.
In a statement released before her interview on Thursday, 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 her interview on Thursday, 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."
A British sniffer dog picked up the scent of a dead body in the apartment and samples, including suspected traces of blood, have been recovered from the scene.A British sniffer dog picked up the scent of a dead body in the apartment and samples, including suspected traces of blood, have been recovered from the scene.
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.