McCann papers could be released

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The parents of missing Madeleine McCann could soon be able to see the Portuguese police file on their daughter's disappearance.

Rogerio Alves, a Portuguese lawyer for Kate and Gerry McCann, said police files could be made public on 14 April when the official secrecy period ends.

He said this period could be extended only in major inquiries, such as those targeting terrorism or organised crime.

The McCanns, of Rothley, Leics, remain formal suspects or "arguidos".

Clarence Mitchell, the couple's spokesman, welcomed the lawyer's comments and called for their arguido status to be lifted.

They have always denied any involvement in their daughter's disappearance and last month received a public apology and damages from four British newspapers over false claims they had printed.

Madeleine disappeared days before her fourth birthday, during a family holiday in the resort of Praia da Luz, in the Algarve, on 3 May last year.