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Madeleine inquiry 'nearly over' Madeleine inquiry 'nearly over'
(about 2 hours later)
The police inquiry into Madeleine McCann's disappearance is almost over, Portugal's justice minister has said.The police inquiry into Madeleine McCann's disappearance is almost over, Portugal's justice minister has said.
Alberto Costa told a parliamentary committee in Lisbon that officers were near the "conclusion of the process".Alberto Costa told a parliamentary committee in Lisbon that officers were near the "conclusion of the process".
Clarence Mitchell, the spokesman for Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry, said the only satisfactory conclusion would be Madeleine being found. Clarence Mitchell, spokesman for Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry, said the only satisfactory conclusion would be Madeleine being found.
Madeleine, of Rothley, Leicestershire, went missing, aged three, in Praia da Luz in the Algarve on 3 May last year.Madeleine, of Rothley, Leicestershire, went missing, aged three, in Praia da Luz in the Algarve on 3 May last year.
Parents' hope Arguido status
Mr Mitchell said: "I am not going to react specifically to what the justice minister has said to parliament. Mr Mitchell said: "If the case is coming to a conclusion, we hope it will conclude shortly with the finding of Madeleine and her being reunited with her parents.
"However, if the case is coming to a conclusion, we hope it will conclude shortly with the finding of Madeleine and her being reunited with her parents. "That is the only satisfactory conclusion for us.
"That is the only satisfactory conclusion for us." "If, however, the justice minister is referring to the aspects to the inquiry concerning Kate and Gerry being concluded, then they must be eliminated from the investigation forthwith."
The committee asked Mr Costa about comments by Portugal's top policeman, the head of the Policia Judiciaria, Alipio Ribeiro, that detectives had been too quick to make Mr and Mrs McCann formal suspects - known as "arguido" - in the investigation. He said there was no evidence to implicate Kate or Gerry McCann in any way with the disappearance of their daughter.
Mr Costa told the MPs there was no indication Mr Ribeiro had broken laws which prevent Portuguese police from discussing ongoing cases in public. "We remain confident that the Portuguese authorities will realise this and that Kate and Gerry's arguido [official suspect] status will be lifted in the near future", Mr Mitchell said.
"If there was any such sign... I am sure an inquiry would have been opened, and it hasn't been," said Mr Costa. 'Worrying leaks'
The justice minister told the parliamentary committee that it was "premature" to say whether the police investigation would reveal what had happened to Madeleine McCann.
Alberto Costa cited British statistics which showed that 80% of similar cases in the UK remain unresolved.
"It would be good if people could show self-restraint," he said, referring to the many "worrying leaks" about the case.