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Madeleine case papers ruling due Madeleine case papers ruling due
(about 5 hours later)
A judge in Portugal is to consider whether the suspects in the Madeleine McCann case should have access to the police files about her disappearance. A judge in Portugal has been considering whether the suspects in the Madeleine McCann case should have access to files on her disappearance.
Portuguese law has prevented Robert Murat, 33, and Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry, from seeing evidence.Portuguese law has prevented Robert Murat, 33, and Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry, from seeing evidence.
But it is now eight months since Mr Murat was made a suspect - a period which ends the first phase of judicial secrecy, although this can be extended. The judge's decision on whether to extend the period of judicial secrecy - which ends eight months after a person is named a suspect - is not yet known.
Madeleine, four, was last seen in Praia da Luz in Portugal on 3 May last year.Madeleine, four, was last seen in Praia da Luz in Portugal on 3 May last year.
WATCH TONIGHT The BBC's Richard Bilton talking to Robert Murat's mother JennySee the full report on the Ten O'Clock NewsMonday 14 January, BBC One, 2200 GMTWATCH TONIGHT The BBC's Richard Bilton talking to Robert Murat's mother JennySee the full report on the Ten O'Clock NewsMonday 14 January, BBC One, 2200 GMT
The eight-month deadline means the local prosecutor must inform his superior why he wants more time and how long he needs. The eight-month deadline means the Portuguese prosecutor must tell his superior whether he wants more time and why, plus how long he needs.
The milestone could have brought an end to the restrictions of judicial secrecy surrounding the case.The milestone could have brought an end to the restrictions of judicial secrecy surrounding the case.
This would have allowed former property developer Mr Murat and the McCanns to see the files of evidence against them.This would have allowed former property developer Mr Murat and the McCanns to see the files of evidence against them.
However, last week the Portuguese prosecutor applied to have the files kept secret, a request that the judge on Monday is likely to agree to. However, last week the Portuguese prosecutor applied to have the files kept secret, a request that the judge is likely to agree to.
Clarence Mitchell, spokesman for the McCanns, said he expected the files to remain secret for another three months.Clarence Mitchell, spokesman for the McCanns, said he expected the files to remain secret for another three months.
Mr Mitchell said he could not say "hand on heart" Portuguese police had the extension approved, but he was "103% certain" that would happen.
'Living in limbo''Living in limbo'
Mr Mitchell said he could not say "hand on heart" that Portuguese police had the extension approved but he was "103% certain" that would happen.
Speaking from Praia da Luz, the BBC's Robert Hall told BBC News 24 that sources close to the case said the extension had been granted but that this had not been confirmed by the Portuguese authorities.
Our correspondent said that, if this was the case, the lawyers for Mr Murat and the McCanns could expect to hear formally by Tuesday morning.
Asked whether Mr Murat's suspect status would be lifted, his lawyer Francisco Pagarete said he did not know but that was what he hoped.Asked whether Mr Murat's suspect status would be lifted, his lawyer Francisco Pagarete said he did not know but that was what he hoped.
Mr Murat's mother, Jenny, 71, has told the BBC she is angry about what has happened to her son, who was the first person in the case to be made an "arguido" - official suspect.Mr Murat's mother, Jenny, 71, has told the BBC she is angry about what has happened to her son, who was the first person in the case to be made an "arguido" - official suspect.
I know he didn't leave the house that night Jenny MuratI know he didn't leave the house that night Jenny Murat
She said he had been living in "limbo" since he was made a suspect on 14 May last year.She said he had been living in "limbo" since he was made a suspect on 14 May last year.
"It's almost been a nothing," she said of the period. "It's just in my mind 24 hours a day.""It's almost been a nothing," she said of the period. "It's just in my mind 24 hours a day."
An extension to Mr Murat's suspect status could be granted on the grounds that the case is one of "exceptional complexity".An extension to Mr Murat's suspect status could be granted on the grounds that the case is one of "exceptional complexity".
Madeleine's parents are also both arguidos in the case.Madeleine's parents are also both arguidos in the case.
Mrs Murat told the BBC that on the night Madeleine was last seen, she and her son had been together at her villa in Praia da Luz.Mrs Murat told the BBC that on the night Madeleine was last seen, she and her son had been together at her villa in Praia da Luz.
"I know he didn't leave the house that night," she said."I know he didn't leave the house that night," she said.
She said she was frustrated at how long he had been a suspect - "and really quite angry that we have been involved in it".She said she was frustrated at how long he had been a suspect - "and really quite angry that we have been involved in it".
But she added: "My strength is that we have told the truth right from the beginning."But she added: "My strength is that we have told the truth right from the beginning."
Cards boostCards boost
Mrs Murat said she and her son had received many cards from people offering their support.Mrs Murat said she and her son had received many cards from people offering their support.
"It really makes you feel so good that people are thinking about you," she said."It really makes you feel so good that people are thinking about you," she said.
Madeleine was last seen in Praia da Luz on 3 May last yearMadeleine was last seen in Praia da Luz on 3 May last year
"I know that it's given Robert a terrific boost.""I know that it's given Robert a terrific boost."
The BBC's Alison Roberts in Portugal said there was no obligation on police or public prosecutors to make any kind of announcement on Monday's developments.The BBC's Alison Roberts in Portugal said there was no obligation on police or public prosecutors to make any kind of announcement on Monday's developments.
She said: "In no case is there any obligation on police or public prosecutors to make any kind of announcement on these developments, nor is it normal for them to do so.She said: "In no case is there any obligation on police or public prosecutors to make any kind of announcement on these developments, nor is it normal for them to do so.
"If there is a change in the status of a suspect or suspects, that normally emerges through the lawyers.""If there is a change in the status of a suspect or suspects, that normally emerges through the lawyers."
Last Tuesday, it was reported that prosecutors had begun moves to re-interview people involved in the case.Last Tuesday, it was reported that prosecutors had begun moves to re-interview people involved in the case.
Among those that could be spoken to are Mr and Mrs McCann themselves and the friends they dined with in Praia da Luz on the night Madeleine was last seen.Among those that could be spoken to are Mr and Mrs McCann themselves and the friends they dined with in Praia da Luz on the night Madeleine was last seen.