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Photo examined for Madeleine clue Photo examined for Madeleine clue
(about 2 hours later)
A photograph of a small blonde child in Morocco is to be studied by experts examining the disappearance of four-year-old Madeleine McCann. A photograph of a small blonde child in Morocco is being studied by experts examining the disappearance of four-year-old Madeleine McCann.
The photo, showing the child being carried on a woman's back, was taken three weeks ago by a Spanish tourist.The photo, showing the child being carried on a woman's back, was taken three weeks ago by a Spanish tourist.
Madeleine disappeared on 3 May from a holiday apartment in Portugal.Madeleine disappeared on 3 May from a holiday apartment in Portugal.
Her parents' spokesman, Clarence Mitchell, said Gerry and Kate were aware of the photo and it had been passed to authorities to study. Her parents' spokesman, Clarence Mitchell, said there was a resemblance but urged caution as numerous previous sightings had come to nothing.
He said the photograph had been passed to the McCann family via their legal team, and was also with Spanish police and British and Portuguese authorities.
On an initial glance, it appears to look like Madeleine - about the right age and of European appearance Clarence Mitchell, spokesman for the McCanns
Spanish websites, including the Spanish radio station COPE's site www.cope.es, have published the picture.Spanish websites, including the Spanish radio station COPE's site www.cope.es, have published the picture.
The tourist, Clara Torres, said the similarity to Madeleine was striking. The tourist, Clara Torres, said the similarity to Madeleine was striking
It is understood she had taken the photo in August but had only recently downloaded her photos.
She said she decided to hand the photo to police on Monday after reading of other recent possible sightings.She said she decided to hand the photo to police on Monday after reading of other recent possible sightings.
August photo 'Emotional rollercoaster'
Mr Mitchell told BBC1's Breakfast it was the first time a picture like this had come to light.
"On an initial glance, it appears to look like Madeleine - about the right age and of European appearance."
However, he said, Kate and Gerry McCann have a policy of not commenting on each sighting.
"Kate and Gerry know all too well through bitter experience that all of the sightings up until now have come to nothing unfortunately.
"So you can imagine the sort of emotional rollercoaster each time that sort of information comes in."
Marrakech sighting
News of the photo comes days after reports that a British man believed he had spotted Madeleine near a hotel in Marrakech in the same location and on the same day as Norwegian tourist Marie Pollard reported seeing her.News of the photo comes days after reports that a British man believed he had spotted Madeleine near a hotel in Marrakech in the same location and on the same day as Norwegian tourist Marie Pollard reported seeing her.
Mr Mitchell said Ms Torres had taken the photo in August but had only recently downloaded her photos.
"My understanding is that the police at both ends, in Spain and in turn the British and Portuguese authorities, are now aware of this material - it is being investigated," he said.
He said he was unclear about how the photo initially came to the authorities' notice.
"What I am clear on is that this needs serious investigation, serious analysis, that is ongoing," he added.
"Kate and Gerry are fully aware and will be kept informed throughout."
Speaking on Tuesday night, Mr Mitchell said the photo was made known to the McCanns only hours earlier.
When Madeleine first disappeared, police asked holidaymakers on the Algarve to submit their photos for examination.When Madeleine first disappeared, police asked holidaymakers on the Algarve to submit their photos for examination.
The McCanns are formal suspects in the inquiry into the girl's disappearance. The McCanns are formal suspects in the inquiry into the little girl's disappearance.
They insist she was abducted while they ate at a nearby tapas bar with friends.They insist she was abducted while they ate at a nearby tapas bar with friends.