McCanns win bid for secret Madeleine files
Monday, 07 Jul 2008 18:12
Parents of Madeleine McCann win access to previously secret police files over disappearance of daughter
The parents of Madeleine McCann have won access to previously secret police files over the disappearance of their daughter.
Leicestershire constabulary have agreed to release 81 documents dating back to the beginning of the police investigation.
The move was revealed when lawyers representing Kate and Gerry McCann dropped a high court bid forcing police to disclose the files.
A statement from the force said: "Today in court the public will have been made aware of the immense effort that the UK law enforcement agencies led by Leicestershire constabulary have dedicated to the search for Madeleine.
"Tim Scott QC appearing for the McCann's commented that these proceedings could be a diversion from the primary objective which is the search to discover what happened to Madeleine when she disappeared.
"We agree and on that basis we don't intend to comment further at this stage."
Clarence Mitchell, the McCanns' spokesman, said the files would now be presented to the couple's team of private investigators.
Madeleine has not been seen since disappearing from her parents' holiday villa in Praia da Luz, Portugal, on May 3rd 2007, days before her fourth birthday.
"All these pieces are from the very early days of May last year and could be more relevant than information received later," Mr Mitchell told BBC News.
He said Mr and Mrs McCann had welcomed the decision and their private investigators would work on the documents as a priority.
Last week Portuguese prosecutors were forced to deny rumours the Madeleine investigation was close to being closed down.
Both Mr and Mrs McCann remain official suspects – arguidos – in the inquiry, as does British expat Robert Murat.