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McCanns seek 'Beckham lookalike' McCanns seek 'Beckham lookalike'
(9 minutes later)
Private detectives hired by Madeleine McCann's parents want to trace a "Victoria Beckham lookalike" with an Australian accent.Private detectives hired by Madeleine McCann's parents want to trace a "Victoria Beckham lookalike" with an Australian accent.
The woman is being sought because of something she said to a British man who met her in Barcelona several days after Madeleine went missing.The woman is being sought because of something she said to a British man who met her in Barcelona several days after Madeleine went missing.
Former detective inspector Dave Edgar said it was a "significant" lead.Former detective inspector Dave Edgar said it was a "significant" lead.
Madeleine, of Rothley, Leicestershire, was three when she went missing from a holiday flat in Portugal on 3 May 2007.Madeleine, of Rothley, Leicestershire, was three when she went missing from a holiday flat in Portugal on 3 May 2007.
Brief conversationBrief conversation
At a press conference in London, Mr Edgar and the McCann's spokesman Clarence Mitchell went into more detail about the incident and also provided an e-fit of the woman they said was not a "suspect". Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry McCann did not attend.At a press conference in London, Mr Edgar and the McCann's spokesman Clarence Mitchell went into more detail about the incident and also provided an e-fit of the woman they said was not a "suspect". Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry McCann did not attend.
Madeleine was three when she went missing from a holiday flat in Portugal Family spokesman Clarence Mitchell describes the new suspect investigators are looking for
Two British men first saw the woman when they were drinking in bars in Barcelona's Port Olimpic Marina early in the morning on 7 May 2007.Two British men first saw the woman when they were drinking in bars in Barcelona's Port Olimpic Marina early in the morning on 7 May 2007.
She was said to be well-dressed but appeared agitated and kept walking up and down outside the El Ray de la Gamba restaurant bar, apparently waiting for somebody.She was said to be well-dressed but appeared agitated and kept walking up and down outside the El Ray de la Gamba restaurant bar, apparently waiting for somebody.
One of the witnesses, a 41-year-old British man, had a brief conversation with her in which she apparently thought he was the person she was scheduled to meet.One of the witnesses, a 41-year-old British man, had a brief conversation with her in which she apparently thought he was the person she was scheduled to meet.
She said something to him that has made the McCanns' private detectives think she may know something about Madeleine, who went missing from Praia Da Luz in the Algarve.She said something to him that has made the McCanns' private detectives think she may know something about Madeleine, who went missing from Praia Da Luz in the Algarve.
The witnesses said the woman was aged between 30 and 35, 5ft 2in and of slim build. She also speaks either fluent Spanish or Catalan.The witnesses said the woman was aged between 30 and 35, 5ft 2in and of slim build. She also speaks either fluent Spanish or Catalan.
She was last seen walking away towards a local hospital and more distant ferry and cruise ship terminals.She was last seen walking away towards a local hospital and more distant ferry and cruise ship terminals.
Pursuing leadsPursuing leads
Mr Edgar said the main witness was "very credible" and was described as a professional in a senior position.Mr Edgar said the main witness was "very credible" and was described as a professional in a senior position.
The former policeman would not be drawn on why it had taken the man two years to come forward, only to say it was for "personal reasons".The former policeman would not be drawn on why it had taken the man two years to come forward, only to say it was for "personal reasons".
Mr Edgar, on the right, said the main witness was "very credible" Madeleine was three when she went missing from a holiday flat in Portugal
He said: "We are satisfied that he is a very credible witness and the account he's given is clear and concise."He said: "We are satisfied that he is a very credible witness and the account he's given is clear and concise."
Mr Edgar would also not divulge the details of the conversation but said he had spent two days in Barcelona following up some lines of inquiry.Mr Edgar would also not divulge the details of the conversation but said he had spent two days in Barcelona following up some lines of inquiry.
Mr Mitchell said Kate and Gerry McCann "neither get their hopes nor down" but they were "praying this was the piece of the jigsaw" that would help find Madeleine.Mr Mitchell said Kate and Gerry McCann "neither get their hopes nor down" but they were "praying this was the piece of the jigsaw" that would help find Madeleine.
He said: "They are searching for Madeleine with every breath they have got. They will not give up until they find out what happened to her."He said: "They are searching for Madeleine with every breath they have got. They will not give up until they find out what happened to her."
Mr Edgar and a second retired British detective, Arthur Cowley, were hired by the McCanns to continue the search for their daughter after the official Portuguese investigation was shelved in July last year.Mr Edgar and a second retired British detective, Arthur Cowley, were hired by the McCanns to continue the search for their daughter after the official Portuguese investigation was shelved in July last year.
The two former policemen have visited a number of European countries in the pursuit of leads.The two former policemen have visited a number of European countries in the pursuit of leads.
This week Leicestershire Police said it had spent almost £750,000 assisting the Portuguese police in their inquiry.This week Leicestershire Police said it had spent almost £750,000 assisting the Portuguese police in their inquiry.