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Diplomat defends Madeleine hunt Madeleine's uncle defends police
(about 3 hours later)
The British ambassador to Portugal has defended the police search for Madeleine McCann, who went missing from an Algarve holiday resort six days ago. The uncle of missing three-year-old Madeleine McCann has said criticism of the police operation is not helpful and it was more important to move forward.
John Buck said he had been assured by the Portuguese authorities that "everything possible" was being done to ensure the girl's safe return. John McCann, who has been in the Algarve with Madeleine's parents, said: "Everybody's working to the same end."
His comments came after police said they had stepped up their efforts. Sections of the British media have questioned the competence of the Portuguese police leading the hunt.
The three-year-old, from Rothley, Leicestershire, disappeared from an apartment in Praia da Luz. The toddler, from Leicestershire, went missing from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz six days ago.
On Wednesday, there was growing irritation in British papers over the investigation, with the Daily Mirror calling detectives "clueless" and the Daily Express claiming the Algarve police lacked experience.
Map of resortMap of resort
Portuguese officers, who have faced criticism of their operation, said they had quizzed 100 people and searched 500 apartments. Asked to comment on the reports, Mr McCann, from Glasgow, told BBC TV's Breakfast: "I don't think that's a useful avenue to explore.
Mr Buck said he had met Madeleine's parents Gerry and Kate McCann again on Monday. "I would rather take it forward in a different way and get people saying let's move on, what can we do now? And I think Gerry and Kate [Madeleine's parents] want us to focus like that."
He said additional British experts had arrived to work with the Portuguese on the case. The British ambassador to Portugal, John Buck, has also defended the police search.
Police have faced criticism over their handling of the case
He said he had been assured by Portuguese authorities that "everything possible" was being done to ensure the girl's safe return.
On Tuesday, Portuguese officers said they had quizzed 100 people and searched 500 apartments.
Two British experts have also been drafted in to work on the investigation.
Mr Buck said: "This is, and must remain, a Portuguese police investigation.Mr Buck said: "This is, and must remain, a Portuguese police investigation.
"As you know, the Portuguese police operate under Portuguese law, and Portuguese law puts constraints on what they can say publicly and the information they can release.""As you know, the Portuguese police operate under Portuguese law, and Portuguese law puts constraints on what they can say publicly and the information they can release."
He added: "I, and I know Kate and Gerry, with whom I've just been speaking for the past hour, are very grateful for their efforts." She is a wee darling, a really fantastic young girl John McCann, Madeleine's uncle
'Mistaken identity' Meanwhile, Antonio Santana Carlos, Portuguese ambassador to London, said he understood the frustrations among parts of the media with the investigation, but added that police were doing their best.
Earlier Portuguese television had reported that a man and a child matching Madeleine's description were seen driving off in a car from the town of Nelas, about 300 miles (483km) north of Praia da Luz. "It's very difficult to deal with these situations because even if you find the most prompt reaction, perhaps that is not enough."
However, police, who are following up 350 pieces of information, said the sighting was a case of mistaken identity. During Mr McCann's time in Portugal, he said, there had been a change in the family's outlook.
Chief Inspector Olegario de Sousa, of the Portuguese police, said: "It was not Madeleine. It was a child who looks like Madeleine, but she is a child who lives in the area." They have gone from feeling "devastated and helpless" to being buoyed by all the support they have received and were feeling more positive about the things that could be done to find Madeleine, he said.
He described his niece as quick, bright and energetic.
"She is such fun. She can be a bit stroppy at times - but what interesting kid can't be? She is a wee darling, a really fantastic young girl." he said.
A sign saying 'Come Home Soon Madeleine' was seen at a vigilA sign saying 'Come Home Soon Madeleine' was seen at a vigil
He said officers were maintaining a "high level" of effort to find Madeleine, as well as gathering evidence about her disappearance.
The force has been criticised for not keeping the public informed.
Mr Sousa's press conference, where he listed the action taken by his officers, came after intense pressure from the media.
He told assembled journalists that an area with a radius of 15km (9.3 miles) around the Algarve resort had been searched - along with hundreds of nearby apartments.
Antonio Santana Carlos, the country's ambassador in London, said the case was of "great concern" to Portugal and asked people to trust the police.
BBC correspondent Alison Roberts said the story had been widely covered on Portuguese television and radio, and was making the front page of newspapers.BBC correspondent Alison Roberts said the story had been widely covered on Portuguese television and radio, and was making the front page of newspapers.
However, she said, some Portuguese journalists have asked whether so many resources had been poured into the investigation because of Madeleine's nationality, and whether the same effort would have been made for a Portuguese child - an accusation quickly denied by police. However, she said, some Portuguese journalists have asked whether so many resources had been poured into the investigation because of Madeleine's nationality, and whether the same effort would have been made for a Portuguese child - an assurance quickly given by police.
Footballers including England captain John Terry and Portugal internationals Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Ferreira, who both play in England, have appealed for anyone with information to come forward. A vigil has been held in the McCanns' home village of Rothley, and staff at Leicester's three hospitals also joined in prayer.
A set of pyjamas identical to the ones Madeleine was wearing
Meanwhile, in the McCanns' home village of Rothley, residents held a silent vigil to show their support.
Staff at Leicester's three hospitals also joined in prayer for the McCann family.
Madeleine's father is a consultant cardiologist at the city's Glenfield Hospital and her mother is a GP.Madeleine's father is a consultant cardiologist at the city's Glenfield Hospital and her mother is a GP.
The McCann family have confirmed Madeleine was wearing white pyjama bottoms with a small floral design and a short-sleeved pink top with a picture of Winnie the Pooh character Eeyore when she disappeared. Madeleine is believed to have been taken from her bed last Thursday evening while her parents were eating at a nearby restaurant.
She is believed to have been taken from her bed last Thursday evening while her parents were eating at a nearby restaurant.
They had been regularly checking on her and their two-year-old twins, Sean and Amelie, before she went missing.They had been regularly checking on her and their two-year-old twins, Sean and Amelie, before she went missing.
The complex where Madeleine disappeared The complex where Madeleine disappeared
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