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Madeleine police chief removed Madeleine police chief removed
(39 minutes later)
The Portuguese police detective investigating the disappearance of British child Madeleine McCann has been removed from the case.The Portuguese police detective investigating the disappearance of British child Madeleine McCann has been removed from the case.
Madeleine has not been seen since 3 May when she disappeared from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz.Madeleine has not been seen since 3 May when she disappeared from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz.
Goncalo Amaral, a senior detective, was apparently removed after comments he made about British police.Goncalo Amaral, a senior detective, was apparently removed after comments he made about British police.
Madeleine's parent Kate and Gerry are official suspects in her disappearance but have not been charged.Madeleine's parent Kate and Gerry are official suspects in her disappearance but have not been charged.
Their spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: "We're aware of these reports and we simply can't comment.Their spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: "We're aware of these reports and we simply can't comment.
"Gerry and Kate have consistently said that they are happy to co-operate fully with the Portuguese authorities and will continue to do so no matter who is in charge of the Madeleine investigation.""Gerry and Kate have consistently said that they are happy to co-operate fully with the Portuguese authorities and will continue to do so no matter who is in charge of the Madeleine investigation."
British mediaBritish media
Mr Amaral, who heads the regional Policia Judiciaria (PJ) in Portimao, was reported in the Diario de Noticias as saying: "The British police have been working solely on what the McCanns want and what suits them."Mr Amaral, who heads the regional Policia Judiciaria (PJ) in Portimao, was reported in the Diario de Noticias as saying: "The British police have been working solely on what the McCanns want and what suits them."
The police removed him after the comments were published, but reportedly gave no reason.The police removed him after the comments were published, but reportedly gave no reason.
The BBC's special correspondent Richard Bilton said the only information coming from the PJ was that Mr Amaral had finished his role as head of the investigation. The PJ's national director, Alipio Ribeiro, told journalists at a conference in Lisbon that Mr Amaral's "commission of service has ceased".
He said the detective's comments were made at the end of an interview in which he talked about the coverage of Madeleine's case by the British media. The BBC's special correspondent Richard Bilton said the detective made his comments at the end of an interview in which he talked about the coverage of Madeleine's case by the British media.
The newspaper said he was reacting to a story which appeared on Tuesday claiming that Leicestershire police were investigating an email sent anonymously to Prince Charles's official website alleging that a disgruntled former employee had abducted Madeleine.
Mr Amaral reportedly accused the McCanns of releasing new information each day in a bid to distract and confuse the inquiry, our correspondent said.Mr Amaral reportedly accused the McCanns of releasing new information each day in a bid to distract and confuse the inquiry, our correspondent said.
The McCanns' lawyer, Carlos Pinto de Abreu, told a Portuguese radio station that Mr Amaral's reported comments were "chauvinistic".
British police have worked with their Portuguese authorities for parts of the inquiry.British police have worked with their Portuguese authorities for parts of the inquiry.