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Photo examined for Madeleine clue Photo examined for Madeleine clue
(about 9 hours later)
A photograph of a small blonde child in Morocco is being studied by experts examining the disappearance of four-year-old Madeleine McCann. A photograph of a 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. The McCann's spokesman said there was a likeness to Madeleine, who has been missing for more than four months.
Her parents' spokesman, Clarence Mitchell, said there was a resemblance but urged caution as numerous previous sightings had come to nothing. But Spanish TV channel Telecinco says it has traced the girl in the picture, and it is not Madeleine.
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. Family spokesman Clarence Mitchell 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 McCannsOn 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 there was a striking similarity to Madeleine, who disappeared from a holiday apartment in southern Portugal on 3 May.
It is understood she had taken the photo in August but had only recently downloaded her photos.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.
Madeleine has not been seen since 3 MayMadeleine has not been seen since 3 May
Mr Mitchell told BBC1's Breakfast it was the first time a picture like this had come to light.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.""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.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."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.""So you can imagine the sort of emotional rollercoaster each time that sort of information comes in."
Marrakech sightingMarrakech 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.
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 little 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.