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Prosecutor to get Madeleine file Police play down Madeleine claims
(about 5 hours later)
Portuguese police are preparing to hand over the Madeleine McCann case file to prosecutors who will decide whether to bring charges against her parents. Portuguese police have played down claims that Madeleine McCann's blood was found in her parents' hire car.
Details of police interviews and forensic evidence are expected to be delivered on Tuesday. There have been reports an exact match of the four-year-old's DNA was found in a car used by the McCanns over three weeks after their daughter disappeared.
Last week Kate and Gerry McCann were declared formal suspects. Police are preparing to hand over the case file to Portuguese prosecutors who will decide whether to bring charges against Kate and Gerry McCann.
Police refused to comment on reports that Madeleine's DNA was identified in a hire car leased by the McCanns weeks after Madeleine was last seen on 3 May. In his blog, Mr McCann described their situation as suspects as "unbearable".
They have, he says, absolute confidence that when all the facts are presented they will be able to show that "we played no part in Madeleine's abduction".
The case details are expected to be delivered on Tuesday. The McCanns were declared formal suspects last week.
The national director of the police force handling the investigation said in a televised debate that police had received some test results but that these do not provide such precision as has been reported.
He also said he did not foresee any moves to impose stricter bail conditions on the McCanns.
Social servicesSocial services
Mr and Mrs McCann, both 39, returned home to the UK on Sunday with their two year-old twins, Sean and Amelie.Mr and Mrs McCann, both 39, returned home to the UK on Sunday with their two year-old twins, Sean and Amelie.
They were followed from Portugal by a large pack of journalists and photographers, many of whom are now camped outside their home in Rothley, in Leicestershire.They were followed from Portugal by a large pack of journalists and photographers, many of whom are now camped outside their home in Rothley, in Leicestershire.
On Monday police and social services in Leicestershire met to discuss Madeleine's disappearance from the McCanns' apartment in Praia da Luz in the Algarve and the naming of her parents as suspects. On Monday police and social services in Leicestershire met to discuss Madeleine's disappearance from the McCanns' apartment in Praia da Luz in the Algarve on 3 May and the naming of her parents as suspects.
The media has swamped the village of RothleyThe media has swamped the village of Rothley
The couple now face a difficult wait to find out the outcome of those talks and to hear whether the lead prosecutor in the case, Jose Cunha de Magalhaes e Meneses, decides to charge them.The couple now face a difficult wait to find out the outcome of those talks and to hear whether the lead prosecutor in the case, Jose Cunha de Magalhaes e Meneses, decides to charge them.
He has asked to see police files, including details of the interviews during which Madeleine's parents were declared arguidos, or official suspects.He has asked to see police files, including details of the interviews during which Madeleine's parents were declared arguidos, or official suspects.
No bail conditions, travel restrictions or charges have been imposed on the McCanns, who were questioned separately for more than 24 hours last week.No bail conditions, travel restrictions or charges have been imposed on the McCanns, who were questioned separately for more than 24 hours last week.
But the couple can be recalled to Portugal with five days' notice.But the couple can be recalled to Portugal with five days' notice.
Under Portuguese law they can remain suspects for up to eight months so Mr Magalhaes may decide to wait before reaching a decision.Under Portuguese law they can remain suspects for up to eight months so Mr Magalhaes may decide to wait before reaching a decision.
ARGUIDO/ARGUIDA STATUS Officially a suspectBestowed by police or requested by individualRight to remain silentRight to a lawyer Prosecutor's legal options ARGUIDO/ARGUIDA STATUS Officially a suspectBestowed by police or requested by individualRight to remain silentRight to a lawyer Prosecutor's legal options
He might also present the existing evidence to a judge who could place restrictions on the couple's movements.He might also present the existing evidence to a judge who could place restrictions on the couple's movements.
In the most extreme scenario, this could mean ordering their detention in Portugal.In the most extreme scenario, this could mean ordering their detention in Portugal.
Independent criminal lawyer Dr Joao Oliveira Trindade told the BBC the prosecutor had several options.Independent criminal lawyer Dr Joao Oliveira Trindade told the BBC the prosecutor had several options.
He could recommend the investigation continue, he could choose to charge the McCanns with a crime or he could place some restrictions on their movements, Dr Trindade said.He could recommend the investigation continue, he could choose to charge the McCanns with a crime or he could place some restrictions on their movements, Dr Trindade said.
But to do the latter, Dr Trindade added, the prosecutor would have to decide on the type of crime he believed had been committed - specifically whether it was a "homicide", and if so, whether it was intentional or unintentional.But to do the latter, Dr Trindade added, the prosecutor would have to decide on the type of crime he believed had been committed - specifically whether it was a "homicide", and if so, whether it was intentional or unintentional.
Twins' bloodTwins' blood
Separately, the BBC's Steve Kingstone, in Praia da Luz, said a senior police source had refused to confirm or deny a report by a British television network that forensic tests on samples recovered from the McCanns' hire car revealed a DNA match of more than 99% with Madeleine. A British television network has reported that forensic tests on samples recovered from the McCanns' hire car revealed a DNA match of more than 99% with Madeleine.
The vehicle was leased three-and-a-half weeks after Madeleine disappeared and was searched by sniffer dogs from Britain in early August.The vehicle was leased three-and-a-half weeks after Madeleine disappeared and was searched by sniffer dogs from Britain in early August.
Last week detectives put to Kate McCann the suggestion that her daughter's blood had been found inside the car.Last week detectives put to Kate McCann the suggestion that her daughter's blood had been found inside the car.
Forensic investigator Professor David Barclay, who specialises in cold cases, said blood found in the couple's hire car could conceivably be from their twins.Forensic investigator Professor David Barclay, who specialises in cold cases, said blood found in the couple's hire car could conceivably be from their twins.
He told BBC East Midlands Today that siblings can share as many as 15 out of 20 DNA indicators.He told BBC East Midlands Today that siblings can share as many as 15 out of 20 DNA indicators.
A family friend has told the BBC the couple have not seen the results of forensic tests and will not comment on speculation.A family friend has told the BBC the couple have not seen the results of forensic tests and will not comment on speculation.