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McCanns protest their innocence McCanns protest their innocence
(10 minutes later)
The parents of missing Madeleine McCann are strongly protesting their innocence after being named as suspects, say their friends.The parents of missing Madeleine McCann are strongly protesting their innocence after being named as suspects, say their friends.
Kate and Gerry McCann had planned to return home to the UK but they will stay in Portugal to help the police.Kate and Gerry McCann had planned to return home to the UK but they will stay in Portugal to help the police.
Friends and family have rallied around the couple, who are keeping away from the media camped outside their villa.Friends and family have rallied around the couple, who are keeping away from the media camped outside their villa.
The four-year-old disappeared from the family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in Portugal's Algarve on 3 May.The four-year-old disappeared from the family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in Portugal's Algarve on 3 May.
More than four months into the investigation, Kate and Gerry McCann have been named as formal suspects or "arguidos".More than four months into the investigation, Kate and Gerry McCann have been named as formal suspects or "arguidos".
A family spokeswoman said during the interviews, police had asked Mrs McCann if she had killed Madeleine accidentally.A family spokeswoman said during the interviews, police had asked Mrs McCann if she had killed Madeleine accidentally.
'Fought her corner''Fought her corner'
Such allegations have been described by the McCanns' friends and family as "nonsense".Such allegations have been described by the McCanns' friends and family as "nonsense".
Mrs McCann's uncle, Brian Kennedy, who lives in the couple's home village of Rothley, Leicestershire, said: "This suggestion that in some way they were responsible for the death of Madeleine, a little girl they are absolutely devoted to, is just nonsense, pure and simple."Mrs McCann's uncle, Brian Kennedy, who lives in the couple's home village of Rothley, Leicestershire, said: "This suggestion that in some way they were responsible for the death of Madeleine, a little girl they are absolutely devoted to, is just nonsense, pure and simple."
Susan Healy, Kate McCann's mother, said she was proud of her daughter who had "fought her corner" in interviews with the police on Friday.Susan Healy, Kate McCann's mother, said she was proud of her daughter who had "fought her corner" in interviews with the police on Friday.
Kate McCann was questioned for 11 hours on ThursdayKate McCann was questioned for 11 hours on Thursday
"I felt quite proud that she had been able to do this knowing how distraught she is at Madeleine's disappearance," she said."I felt quite proud that she had been able to do this knowing how distraught she is at Madeleine's disappearance," she said.
Those close to the McCanns, both 39, say the couple are determined the search for their daughter will not be "derailed".Those close to the McCanns, both 39, say the couple are determined the search for their daughter will not be "derailed".
"Madeleine seems to be receding into the background and I'm thinking, 'Who is looking for Madeleine?'" said Mrs Healy."Madeleine seems to be receding into the background and I'm thinking, 'Who is looking for Madeleine?'" said Mrs Healy.
Family friend Jon Corner said the developments pointed to the "mindset of the Portuguese police".Family friend Jon Corner said the developments pointed to the "mindset of the Portuguese police".
"Clearly, they're not investigating or doing the detective work to find Madeleine," he said."Clearly, they're not investigating or doing the detective work to find Madeleine," he said.
"They're actually looking for a very quick, clean closure on the case, and that means turning their focus into the family.""They're actually looking for a very quick, clean closure on the case, and that means turning their focus into the family."
'Running away''Running away'
No bail conditions, travel restrictions or charges have been imposed on the couple, who had been questioned separately for more than 24 hours.No bail conditions, travel restrictions or charges have been imposed on the couple, who had been questioned separately for more than 24 hours.
Mr McCann was officially given "arguido" status 12 hours after his wife.Mr McCann was officially given "arguido" status 12 hours after his wife.
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 move allows the authorities to put certain questions to Mr and Mrs McCann, and also gives them the right to remain silent.The move allows the authorities to put certain questions to Mr and Mrs McCann, and also gives them the right to remain silent.
The couple have opted to stay in Portugal despite wanting to return home with their two-year-old twins Sean and Amelie.The couple have opted to stay in Portugal despite wanting to return home with their two-year-old twins Sean and Amelie.
Philomena McCann said her brother Mr McCann "doesn't want it to look as if they are running away".Philomena McCann said her brother Mr McCann "doesn't want it to look as if they are running away".
'Repulsive''Repulsive'
According to family spokeswoman Justin McGuinness the police have also suggested that blood has been found in the family's rental car, hired 25 days after Madeleine disappeared. According to family spokeswoman Justine McGuinness the police have also suggested that blood has been found in the family's rental car, hired 25 days after Madeleine disappeared.
Mrs McCann's uncle Brian Kennedy said he found the suggestion "repulsive".Mrs McCann's uncle Brian Kennedy said he found the suggestion "repulsive".
"The notion that even accidentally they killed their daughter, hid her body, then put her body in a car hired 25 days later while the glare of the international publicity is on them, and when they are always with friends and family, is fatuous beyond words," he said."The notion that even accidentally they killed their daughter, hid her body, then put her body in a car hired 25 days later while the glare of the international publicity is on them, and when they are always with friends and family, is fatuous beyond words," he said.
TV crews and photographers, who had been camped outside the police station in Portimao, have moved on to the McCanns' rented house in Praia da Luz.TV crews and photographers, who had been camped outside the police station in Portimao, have moved on to the McCanns' rented house in Praia da Luz.
Mr and Mrs McCann called off plans to attend a service at the village church of Nossa Senhora da Luz on Saturday night because of the amount of media interest.Mr and Mrs McCann called off plans to attend a service at the village church of Nossa Senhora da Luz on Saturday night because of the amount of media interest.