Madeleine McCann cops request more cash for £12m hunt as parents hail ‘iron will determination’ to find her
MADELEINE McCann cops have requested more cash in their £12million hunt - as her parents hail their "iron will determination" to find her.
Detectives have put a bid into the Home Office for more money when their current tax payer-funded handout runs out in four weeks.
Around £12million has been spent on the investigation by UK authorities - with £300k last awarded to the team in June last year.
Family spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: “It is good news that the Met Police are seeking a new budget to continue the search for Madeleine.
"Kate and Gerry are greatly encouraged that officers still believe there is active work left to be done and do hope that the Home Office grants their request.
“Whilst an active investigation is ongoing it gives them hope that one day they will find out what happened to Madeleine after all these years.
"The Met has a iron will determination to find the answers Kate and Gerry so desperately want.”
Madeleine vanished from her holiday flat in Portugal on May 3, 2007, while her parents dined in a nearby restaurant.
She had been left sleeping alone with her younger twin siblings with regular checks being made on them.
Today a Home Office spokesperson told The Sun Online: “We have received details of the Metropolitan Police Service’s anticipated spending for Operation Grange in 2020/21.
"Requests for funding will be considered in due course, in line with our standard Special Grant process.”
CLINGING TO HOPE
Doctor Gerry and ex-GP Kate, both 51, from Rothley, Leics, are still hopeful their daughter could be alive. She would now be aged 16, nearly 17.
The latest Government handout for the investigation, which has been controversial with calls for it to be shelved after failing to unearth any significant new clues, lasts until the end of March.
It comes days after cops quizzed a British barmaid in Portugal over her German ex-boyfriend.
Carol Hickman, 59, was asked about Michael Jehle, 51, who previously lived in Praia da Luz where three-year-old Maddie vanished.
There is no suggestion that Mr Jehle or his former partner are considered suspects.
Mr Mitchell, speaking exclusively to The Sun Online, said: “It is as much about Scotland Yard ruling people out rather than ruling them in. Interviews are only taking place that are necessary.”
The Metropolitan Police declined to make any comment on their new funding request in the hunt for Maddie.
Maddie’s great uncle Brian Kennedy previously told how the family “still had hope even after all these years".
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The retired head teacher, 80, speaking at the 12th anniversary prayers in May last year, said: “We’re just grateful that police are still searching. It gives us hope.”
Met Police chief Cressida Dick also stated: “We have active lines of inquiries and I think the public would expect us to see those through.
"A very small team continues to work on this case with Portuguese colleagues .”
