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Madeleine police to meet in UK Madeleine police to meet in UK
(about 1 hour later)
Police from Portugal and the UK are to meet to discuss DNA samples examined in the Madeleine McCann investigation.Police from Portugal and the UK are to meet to discuss DNA samples examined in the Madeleine McCann investigation.
A spokesman for the missing girl's parents confirmed that a meeting is due to take place in Leicestershire.A spokesman for the missing girl's parents confirmed that a meeting is due to take place in Leicestershire.
There are no new plans to interview the McCanns, the spokesman said, adding that the move is "not significant".There are no new plans to interview the McCanns, the spokesman said, adding that the move is "not significant".
The samples studied by the Forensic Science Service in Birmingham relate to materials taken from the car hired by the McCanns after the disappearance.The samples studied by the Forensic Science Service in Birmingham relate to materials taken from the car hired by the McCanns after the disappearance.
Family spokesman Clarence Mitchell said while Gerry and Kate McCann had been informed of the planned meeting, they did not see it as a major step in the probe into the girl's disappearance in the Algarve on 3 May.Family spokesman Clarence Mitchell said while Gerry and Kate McCann had been informed of the planned meeting, they did not see it as a major step in the probe into the girl's disappearance in the Algarve on 3 May.
"We do not see it as a significant development.""We do not see it as a significant development."
A spokeswoman for Leicestershire Constabulary said the meeting, which will involve scientists, is not in response to any specific developments.
"It was felt that it was difficult to do everything on the phone. The time was right for them to sit down face-to-face," the spokeswoman said of officials in both countries.
'Cursed''Cursed'
News of the meeting comes as the McCanns, from Rothley, came under attack from the lawyer of Robert Murat, a suspect in the case.News of the meeting comes as the McCanns, from Rothley, came under attack from the lawyer of Robert Murat, a suspect in the case.
Francisco Pagarete said Mr and Mrs McCann "deserve to be cursed" for leaving their children alone.Francisco Pagarete said Mr and Mrs McCann "deserve to be cursed" for leaving their children alone.
In an interview with the Portuguese newspaper 24 Horas, he said: "What they deserve is for somebody to curse them, to make them pay for having left three children unprotected.In an interview with the Portuguese newspaper 24 Horas, he said: "What they deserve is for somebody to curse them, to make them pay for having left three children unprotected.
"On top of it all, they have bank accounts which are stuffed full," he said."On top of it all, they have bank accounts which are stuffed full," he said.
Mr Pagarete said as the case drags on, Mr Murat, his mother and girlfriend are paying a financial price.Mr Pagarete said as the case drags on, Mr Murat, his mother and girlfriend are paying a financial price.
"[They] see their names daily dragged through the mud and they are on the verge of bankruptcy.""[They] see their names daily dragged through the mud and they are on the verge of bankruptcy."
The McCanns have also been officially declared by Portuguese police as "arguidos" or suspects in their daughter's disappearance.The McCanns have also been officially declared by Portuguese police as "arguidos" or suspects in their daughter's disappearance.