Portuguese top cop stresses Madeleine McCann’s parents are ‘not suspects’ on 10th anniversary of her disappearance
A senior Portuguese police chief last night used the 10th anniversary of Maddie McCann's disappearance to underline her parents innocence.
Deputy director of the Portugal's judicial police Pedro do Carmo gave the news just hours before a moving ceremony at Kate and Gerry's local church.
It also kicks into touch repeated claims by shameless original investigator Goncalo Amaral that the couple were behind her fake abduction after accidentally killing her.
Yesterday despite the anniversary he callously continued his cruel campaign against the McCanns to once again, with vile slurs over Kate's behaviour at the time her daughter vanished.
Maddie was just four when she vanished in May 2007 from her holiday apartment in Praia da Luz on the picturesque Algarve coast while her parents enjoyed dinner with pals.
Weeks later in a shock move that rocked the world her parents were made official suspects in the case by Amaral - who was later booted off the case for his bungled handling.
Mr do Carmo was asked if it was a mistake to have put the McCanns under investigation and said:''Obviously I will not answer that question.
''But what I can say, just as I did back in 2011 and 2013, is that Maddie's parents are not suspects. That statement remains: the parents are not suspects. Full stop.''
He added he still 'wanted to know the truth' about what happened the night Maddie vanished and said: ''Of course that's what motivates us. It is the hope that keeps us working on the investigation.''
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Mr do Carmo also hit out at trolls targeting the McCanns for keeping the disappearance in the spotlight and said: ''This was legitimate effort on the part of the parents in keeping the issue on the agenda.''
Mr do Carmo said:''There are elements that can still be worked and that can lead to some results.
''If it is not possible to achieve this result, at least we want to get some answers to the many questions that the case has generated.''
Last night a service was held at the McCanns local Catholic Church, the Sacred Heart in Rothley, Leicestershire with prayers and candles.
Meanwhile in Portugal well wishers left a balloon and flowers outside the Our Lady of Light church in Praia da Luz where Kate and Gerry regularly prayed while the hunt went on.
A handmade card with a photo of Maddie and a yellow ribbon, and heart made from stones lay by the church door.
The message read:''To Madeleine today we light this candle for you, to see you home will be our dream come true''.
Father Jose Manuel Pancheco and his Anglican colleague Rob Kean led the service at Our Lady of Light in Praia da Luz on the Algarve.
Father Pancheco had been the couple's spiritual confidante in Praia da Luz in 2007 and gave them the keys to the church so they could pray for Maddie's safe return in private.
The holy men remembered Maddie and all missing children in the service which was held in English as holidaymakers passed outside enjoying the evening sunshine.
Yesterday the leader of Praia da Luz council Vitor Mata said: "In the two or three years following Maddie’s disappearance we suffered a big turn down.
"However at the same time we should recall that this also coincided with the economic downturn and with rising unemployment.
"Now everything is calmer and things have slowly begun to improve, so we can now speak of things returning to normality.
"For people it is now a forgotten subject, they do not want to talk about it, especially now as tourism is around 100 per cent occupancy."
However locals told The Sun, the Ocean Club resort, where the McCanns were staying, has lost more than 200 employees and now had a staff of around 100.