Madeleine McCann cops ‘close-in on new prime suspect’ in Portugal
MADELEINE McCann cops are said to be closing in on a new prime suspect, it was revealed tonight.
Portuguese police are perusing a “new clue and suspect” after talks with British officers, according to a bombshell local media report.
It comes after a tip-off over a mystery "foreign" man who was in the Algarve at the time of Maddie's disappearance in 2007.
Detectives from Scotland Yard recently met Policia Judiciaria (PJ) officers in Porto to share key information on the investigation.
A source in Portugal told : "The British were here recently, there were talks at the PJ office in the city.
Only the police know who the suspect is
Portuguese source
“It’s all very secret but then it always is with the Madeleine case.
"Only the police know who the suspect is.”
It's not clear if the suspect's whereabouts is known to detectives.
But the face-to-face meeting between British and Portuguese police is believed to be the first since the new suspect came to light.
It could be the biggest leap forward in the £12million investigation since Maddie vanished from her holiday flat at Praia da Luz on May 3, 2007.
EXTRA FUNDING FOR COPS
The girl, then aged 3, is believed to have been snatched from her bed while her parents Kate and Gerry had dinner with friends just yards away.
The local probe into her suspected kidnapping was axed in 2008 and Scotland Yard launched Operation Grange in 2011.
Scotland Yard said their investigation is "ongoing".
Earlier this month, the Home Office pledged £300,000 in extra funding for the Met Police investigation.
PARENTS' HOPE
Family spokesman Clarence Mitchell said at the time: "Kate and Gerry have expressed their gratitude to the police for all the work they have done and continue to do in the search for their daughter.
“They are greatly encouraged that the Metropolitan Police still believe there is active work left to be done and they remain incredibly grateful to the Home Office for providing an extra budget for the investigation.”
Despite a 12-year search for the missing girl, no trace of Madeleine – who would now be 16 – has been found.
In May, Madeleine’s parents Kate and Gerry laid gifts in her untouched bedroom to mark her 16th birthday.
They also hosted a party to honour the missing youngster at their home in Rothley, Leics.
The McCanns wrote on the Official Find Madeleine Campaign Facebook page: “Happy 16th Birthday, Madeleine!
“We love you and we’re waiting for you and we’re never going to give up.”
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