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Met Police 'bring expertise' to Madeleine McCann search Met Police 'bring expertise' to Madeleine McCann search
(about 4 hours 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.
David Cameron has written to her parents telling them the home secretary will be in touch to set out the "new action" involving the Met Police. Prime Minister David Cameron agreed to a review of the case after another plea from parents Kate and Gerry McCann from Leicestershire. They welcomed the move.
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. Home Secretary Theresa May, whose department will pay for the review, said it was hoped the Met "can bring a new perspective to the case".
In a statement they said: "We welcome the government's response. This is clearly a step in the right direction. The McCanns said in a statement: "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."
'Worst nightmare''Worst nightmare'
Their spokesman Clarence Mitchell added: "This is exactly what Kate and Gerry have been asking for. They wanted an independent force to examine everything, basically."Their spokesman Clarence Mitchell added: "This is exactly what Kate and Gerry have been asking for. They wanted an independent force to examine everything, basically."
The official Portuguese inquiry into Madeleine's disappearance ended in July 2008 although private detectives hired by the McCanns have continued the search.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 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 it 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," he said."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," he said.
"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.""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."
In an open letter in the Sun on Thursday, Madeleine's parents had asked Mr Cameron to launch an "independent, transparent and comprehensive" review of all information relating to the disappearance of their daughter.In an open letter in the Sun on Thursday, Madeleine's parents had asked Mr Cameron to launch an "independent, transparent and comprehensive" review of all information relating to the disappearance of their daughter.
In his reply, published by the same newspaper on Friday, Mr Cameron said their ordeal was "every parent's worst nightmare".In his reply, published by the same newspaper on Friday, Mr Cameron said their ordeal was "every parent's worst nightmare".
He wrote: "I simply cannot imagine the pain you must have experienced over these four agonising years, and the strength and determination you have shown throughout is remarkable.He wrote: "I simply cannot imagine the pain you must have experienced over these four agonising years, and the strength and determination you have shown throughout is remarkable.
"I have asked the home secretary to look into what more the government could do to help find Madeleine."I have asked the home secretary to look into what more the government could do to help find Madeleine.
"She will be writing to you today, setting out new action involving the Metropolitan Police Service which we hope will help boost efforts in the search for Madeleine.""She will be writing to you today, setting out new action involving the Metropolitan Police Service which we hope will help boost efforts in the search for Madeleine."
'Truthful account' The prime minister's official spokesman said: "There has been a huge amount of public interest in this case since it began, Madeleine McCann has been missing for a long time, there is the international dimension."
Mrs McCann has also released a book about their ordeal, called Madeleine, which the couple hope will revive public support and boost their fund for private detectives to search for their daughter. Mrs May said officials had continued to work "behind the scenes" in the search for Madeleine, adding: "Although it might not always be in the public eye, the British authorities have never given up on their work to find Madeleine."
Mrs McCann said she also wrote the book to provide a truthful account of events for their twins, who are now six. 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 current Home Secretary Theresa May refused to let him and his wife see it because it was "sensitive".This was completed in March 2010, but Mr McCann said current Home Secretary Theresa May refused to let him and his wife see it because it was "sensitive".
British police were involved in the Portuguese investigation from the early days.British police were involved in the Portuguese investigation from the early days.
That involvement included the Forensic Science Service carrying out testing on samples sent to their laboratories in Birmingham; and various British police forces, co-ordinated by Leicestershire police, providing translators, family liaison officers, child abduction experts and specialist sniffer dogs.That involvement included the Forensic Science Service carrying out testing on samples sent to their laboratories in Birmingham; and various British police forces, co-ordinated by Leicestershire police, providing translators, family liaison officers, child abduction experts and specialist sniffer dogs.