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Madeleine McCann case review: Met Police chief quizzed Madeleine McCann: Met police chief quizzed over review
(about 2 hours later)
Metropolitan (Met) Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson has been questioned over the decision to review the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. The Metropolitan Police Commissioner has been accused of giving "unfair" attention to the Madeleine McCann case following his decision to review it.
Concerns about the way the force decides which cases to review were raised at a Metropolitan Police Association (MPA) meeting. Madeleine, who lived in Leicester, disappeared aged three while on holiday with her family in Portugal in 2007.
Sir Paul said it could receive requests on any case, even those outside London. The Met agreed to review the case after a Home Office request, but London Assembly member Jenny Jones has said this was unfair on other crime victims.
The Met agreed to review Madeleine's case after a Home Office request earlier this month. Sir Paul Stephenson said he was keen to ensure that London "doesn't suffer".
Madeleine, whose family lives in Leicester, went missing at the age of three while on holiday in Portugal in May 2007. He told a meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority the force could receive requests on any case, including those outside London.
Expertise 'unique'
The Home Office said Scotland Yard would "bring their expertise" to the search for Madeleine.
But campaigners have raised concerns that this has happened at a time when police resources are stretched and the Forensic Science Service is due to close.
When questioned on the matter Sir Paul said: "We would consider, 'Can we add expertise and is that expertise unique or unusual that we have that other people don't have?.
"Does our international reputation add value and, very rigorously, if it's not within our locus then we do want to ensure that there is the right amount of money coming in to make sure London doesn't suffer."
Campaigners and relatives of other lost and missing children held a vigil outside City Hall ahead of the meeting.Campaigners and relatives of other lost and missing children held a vigil outside City Hall ahead of the meeting.
'Worst nightmare''Worst nightmare'
London Assembly member Jenny Jones, who was one of those who questioned Sir Paul, said: "A missing child is every parent's worst nightmare and I have real sympathy for the many families in this position. The Home Office said Scotland Yard would "bring their expertise" to the search for Madeleine.
"Because of the prime minister's request to review the Madeleine McCann case, the Met police will be using a lot of time and resources to focus on one particular case, outside of their jurisdiction. But campaigners have raised concerns that this has happened at a time when police resources are stretched and the Forensic Science Service is due to close.
"I don't know how they will justify to other families why their missing children will not be getting exactly the same level of attention." Ms Jones told the meeting: "A missing child is every parent's worst nightmare and I have real sympathy for the many families in this position.
"Because of the prime minister's request to review the Madeleine McCann case, the Met Police will be using a lot of time and resources to focus on one particular case, outside of their jurisdiction."
Sir Paul said he "jealously guarded" the force's independence and Met officers had previously been involved with inquiries in the Soham murders and alleged child abuse in Jersey.
He said the force always considered whether its expertise was "unique or unusual" and if it would be adequately compensated for its officers working on other cases.
He added that the government would pay for the inquiry.
Later Ms Jones said: "I am just not convinced by the commissioner saying that he has extra resources that he can move around so that other victims will not have unfairly lost justice as a result."
A Met spokesman said the review was being carried out at the request of the Home Secretary.A Met spokesman said the review was being carried out at the request of the Home Secretary.
He said: "The commissioner has considered the request and the review will be carried out subject to funding being made available by the Home Office as the case is beyond the Metropolitan Police Service's jurisdiction."He said: "The commissioner has considered the request and the review will be carried out subject to funding being made available by the Home Office as the case is beyond the Metropolitan Police Service's jurisdiction."