McCann relatives shocked by move

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The Scottish father of missing Madeleine McCann has been named as a formal suspect in her disappearance.

Detectives in Portugal questioned both Kate and her husband Gerry before they were declared "arguidos", the legal status of suspects.

Earlier, relatives had expressed disbelief that Mrs McCann had been named as a suspect in the inquiry.

Mr McCann's brother, John McCann, from Glasgow, said it was "unbelievable" and a great shock to the family.

He said: "I find that incredible. I would be delighted to see whatever information they've got and just would not fit in with the whole picture of information that's been gathered previously.

"So, yes, look, we've said all along that we were going to work very closely with the police.

We cannot believe the line that they are going down - we just find it unbelievable John McCann Madeleine's uncle

"Gerry and Kate have been the biggest advocates in supporting the Portuguese police with their investigation because they believe they were the best way of finding out what had happened to Madeleine, and I think they continue to believe that until events prove otherwise."

John McCann added: "There is a degree of almost anger. We really just want them to get on with the real focus.

"We keep saying that my wee niece is missing. Its not Gerry and Kate that are involved in this.

"Lets get back to the real reason: what has happened to the search for that abductor?"

The move to declare Mrs McCann an "arguida" was revealed when the 39-year-old emerged after almost 11 hours of questioning by Portuguese police.

Holiday flat

And her husband was officially given "arguido" status 24 hours later, the couple's lawyer said.

He added that no bail conditions or charges had been imposed. The couple both deny any involvement.

John McCann said: "We just need to see what exactly is going to develop in Portugal.

"We just want to see exactly what the Portuguese police are saying.

"We cannot believe the line that they are going down - we just find it unbelievable."

Kate McCann was questioned for 11 hoursFour-year-old Madeleine, from Rothley, Leicestershire, went missing from her bed in her family's holiday flat in Praia da Luz on 3 May while her parents dined in a nearby restaurant.

Until now there has only been one arguido in the case - expatriate Briton Robert Murat.

Under Portuguese law, an arguido has legal protection that is not extended to a witness, including the right to remain silent during questioning and the right to legal representation.

It is not uncommon for people caught up in criminal investigations in Portugal to declare themselves arguidos in order to receive this protection.