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Madeleine police to meet in UK Madeleine police to meet in UK
(about 8 hours 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 said they do not see the meeting as overly 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. The meeting comes as a new advert blitz began in Spain that campaigners hope will lead them to Madeleine.
"We do not see it as a significant development." Supporters of the family have used funds donated in the weeks after her 3 May disappearance to buy £80,000 worth of publicity that will cover the Iberian peninsula and northern Africa.
A spokeswoman for Leicestershire Constabulary said the meeting, which will involve scientists, is not in response to any specific developments. Clue hunt
The money will pay for television, newspaper and poster adverts which they hope will produce fresh clues.
The fund has also committed to spend up to £50,000 a month towards the cost of the private detectives hired by the McCanns.
"This sort of work on both fronts - maintaining awareness of Madeleine and physically working to find her and her abductor or abductors - is exactly what the fund exists to support," said fund director Esther McVey.
A spokeswoman for Leicestershire Constabulary said the police 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."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.
The McCann's spokesman said they will not be reinterviewed as part of the Portuguese police visit.
"We do not see it as a significant development."
'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 told a Portuguese newspaper 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. He said his client is suffering from the negative publicity surrounding the case.
"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.
"[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.