This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-13378289

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Met Police 'bring expertise' to Madeleine McCann search Met Police 'bring expertise' to Madeleine McCann search
(40 minutes later)
The Metropolitan Police are to "bring their expertise" to the search for Madeleine McCann, the Home Office says.The Metropolitan Police are to "bring their expertise" to the search for Madeleine McCann, the Home Office says.
Madeleine went missing aged three on holiday in Portugal in May 2007.Madeleine went missing aged three on holiday in Portugal in May 2007.
Downing Street said David Cameron had written to the McCanns to tell them that Scotland Yard had been asked to "cast a fresh eye" over evidence.Downing Street said David Cameron had written to the McCanns to tell them that Scotland Yard had been asked to "cast a fresh eye" over evidence.
Kate and Gerry McCann, of Rothley, Leicestershire, said they welcomed the news, which came after they appealed to Mr Cameron to launch a review the case. Kate and Gerry McCann, of Rothley, Leicestershire, said they welcomed the news, which came after they asked Mr Cameron to launch a review of the case.
In a statement they said: "We welcome the government's response. This is clearly a step in the right direction.In a statement they said: "We welcome the government's response. This is clearly a step in the right direction.
"The expertise of the Metropolitan Police is renowned and we are reassured by our government's commitment to the search for Madeleine.""The expertise of the Metropolitan Police is renowned and we are reassured by our government's commitment to the search for Madeleine."
'Particular expertise'
The official Portuguese inquiry into Madeleine's disappearance ended in July 2008 although private detectives hired by the McCanns have continued the search.
A Home Office spokesman said the government hoped the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) would be able to "bring a new perspective" to the case, adding that the Home Office would be providing "the necessary financial support".A Home Office spokesman said the government hoped the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) would be able to "bring a new perspective" to the case, adding that the Home Office would be providing "the necessary financial support".
He went on to say that the government's primary concern had always been the safe return of Madeleine.He went on to say that the government's primary concern had always been the safe return of Madeleine.
"Although she disappeared in Portugal, and the Portuguese retain the lead responsibility in the case, law enforcement agencies here have continued to follow up leads and pass information to the Portuguese authorities as appropriate."Although she disappeared in Portugal, and the Portuguese retain the lead responsibility in the case, law enforcement agencies here have continued to follow up leads and pass information to the Portuguese authorities as appropriate.
"The prime minister and the home secretary have today agreed with (Met Police commissioner) Sir Paul Stephenson that the Metropolitan Police will bring its particular expertise to this case."The prime minister and the home secretary have today agreed with (Met Police commissioner) Sir Paul Stephenson that the Metropolitan Police will bring its particular expertise to this case.
"Clearly, the detail of what that will entail will be a matter of operational judgement and it would not be appropriate to discuss at this stage," he said."Clearly, the detail of what that will entail will be a matter of operational judgement and it would not be appropriate to discuss at this stage," he said.
'End of our tether''End of our tether'
Earlier, Madeleine McCann's parents called upon David Cameron to offer Portuguese caretaker prime minister Jose Socrates the services of the Metropolitan Police to review the investigation looking for unpursued lines of inquiry. Earlier, in href="http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3575748/KATE-and-Gerry-McCann-today-call-on-David-Cameron-to-re-launch-the-search-for-Maddie.html.html" >open letter published by the Sun, Madeleine McCann's parents asked Mr Cameron to launch an "independent, transparent and comprehensive" review of all information relating to the disappearance of their daughter.
Speaking at the launch of Mrs McCann's new book about their ordeal, the couple also urged Mr Cameron to call his Portuguese counterpart to discuss launching a formal review of the police investigation into their daughter's disappearance. And speaking at the launch of Mrs McCann's new book about their ordeal, they called on the PM to offer Portuguese caretaker prime minister Jose Socrates the services of the Metropolitan Police to review the investigation looking for unpursued lines of inquiry.
Mr McCann, 42, said: "We've met three separate home secretaries, and we're still not sure what the government has actually done. The McCanns also urged Mr Cameron to call his Portuguese counterpart to discuss launching a formal review of the police investigation.
"The prime minister does have it in his power to pick up the phone and speak to his counterpart."
Referring to the death of Mr Cameron's severely disabled six-year-old son Ivan two years ago, Mr McCann added: "Of course he's suffered his own loss, and I'm sure he is a loving father, so he will understand what we've gone through."
Mr McCann also disclosed his frustration at the lack of progress since he and his wife first asked for a full cold case review in 2009.
"We really have come to the end of our tether. We want to see action from the government, not rhetoric," he said.
"When you're in a position such as the prime minister, you have a responsibility. If you're not willing to work for a child, you have to ask, 'Who are you working for?'"
Earlier, the McCanns asked David Cameron to launch an "independent, transparent and comprehensive" review of all information relating to the disappearance of their daughter.
In an open letter published by the Sun, they said they had "tried in vain" to get a formal inquiry.
The couple hope that Mrs McCann's book, call Madeleine, will revive public support and boost their fund for private detectives to search for their daughter.The couple hope that Mrs McCann's book, call Madeleine, will revive public support and boost their fund for private detectives to search for their daughter.
Apart from raising funds, Mrs McCann said she also wrote the book to provide a truthful account of events for their twins, who are now six.Apart from raising funds, Mrs McCann said she also wrote the book to provide a truthful account of events for their twins, who are now six.
The official Portuguese inquiry into Madeleine's disappearance ended in July 2008 although private detectives hired by the McCanns have continued the search. Mr McCann, 42, disclosed his frustration at the lack of progress since he and his wife first asked for a full cold case review in 2009.
"We really have come to the end of our tether. We want to see action from the government, not rhetoric," he said.
"When you're in a position such as the prime minister, you have a responsibility. If you're not willing to work for a child, you have to ask, 'Who are you working for?'"
Former home secretary Alan Johnson commissioned a scoping exercise by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (Ceop) centre to look at the feasibility of carrying out a review of the case.Former home secretary Alan Johnson commissioned a scoping exercise by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (Ceop) centre to look at the feasibility of carrying out a review of the case.
This was completed in March 2010, but Mr McCann said Mrs May refused to let him and his wife see it because it was "sensitive".This was completed in March 2010, but Mr McCann said Mrs May refused to let him and his wife see it because it was "sensitive".
No details of what Scotland Yard's involvement will entail are being released while the search continues.