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Madeleine parents head back to UK Madeleine parents head back to UK
(20 minutes later)
Madeleine McCann's parents have left Portugal for the UK, insisting they "played no part in the disappearance of their beloved daughter" in May.Madeleine McCann's parents have left Portugal for the UK, insisting they "played no part in the disappearance of their beloved daughter" in May.
Kate and Gerry McCann, both 39, have been named as formal suspects over the four-year-old's disappearance.Kate and Gerry McCann, both 39, have been named as formal suspects over the four-year-old's disappearance.
As their plane left Faro airport amid a media scrum, a family spokeswoman said they had left Praia da Luz for Rothley, Leics, for the sake of their twins.As their plane left Faro airport amid a media scrum, a family spokeswoman said they had left Praia da Luz for Rothley, Leics, for the sake of their twins.
In newspaper interviews, they also said police were trying to frame them.In newspaper interviews, they also said police were trying to frame them.
'Ordinary life''Ordinary life'
Madeleine went missing from the family's holiday apartment on 3 May.Madeleine went missing from the family's holiday apartment on 3 May.
The Portuguese police have the objective of solving this crime Home Secretary Jacqui SmithThe Portuguese police have the objective of solving this crime Home Secretary Jacqui Smith
The family spokeswoman said the McCanns were leaving Portugal with the full consent of the Portuguese police. Family spokeswoman Justine McGuinness said the McCanns were leaving Portugal with the full consent of the Portuguese police.
"They are returning to Britain after careful thought. They wish to reintroduce the twins as much as possible to ordinary life," she said."They are returning to Britain after careful thought. They wish to reintroduce the twins as much as possible to ordinary life," she said.
"Their heartfelt plea is that the search for Madeleine should continue and people remain vigilant.""Their heartfelt plea is that the search for Madeleine should continue and people remain vigilant."
A police cordon had been set up to allow their silver Renault Scenic to drive through the media camped at the foot of the drive way to their villa as they left for the airport.A police cordon had been set up to allow their silver Renault Scenic to drive through the media camped at the foot of the drive way to their villa as they left for the airport.
The BBC's Richard Bilton, in Portugal, said they were then "vigorously pursued" by reporters up to, and through the airport to a plane filled with journalists.The BBC's Richard Bilton, in Portugal, said they were then "vigorously pursued" by reporters up to, and through the airport to a plane filled with journalists.
Their decision to leave comes after a dramatic turn of events in the case.Their decision to leave comes after a dramatic turn of events in the case.
Test resultsTest results
The McCanns had planned to leave this weekend, but that was put off after they were named as suspects, or "arguidos", by Portuguese police - a move which allows detectives to ask them certain questions, and also gives them the right to remain silent.The McCanns had planned to leave this weekend, but that was put off after they were named as suspects, or "arguidos", by Portuguese police - a move which allows detectives to ask them certain questions, and also gives them the right to remain silent.
ARGUIDO/ARGUIDA STATUS Officially a suspectBestowed by police or requested by individualRight to remain silentRight to a lawyerMust report to police every five daysARGUIDO/ARGUIDA STATUS Officially a suspectBestowed by police or requested by individualRight to remain silentRight to a lawyerMust report to police every five days
Early on Sunday they decided to stick to their original plan, but they could be asked to return to Portugal at a later date for further questioning.Early on Sunday they decided to stick to their original plan, but they could be asked to return to Portugal at a later date for further questioning.
As formal suspects - a status they may hold for eight to 10 months - the McCanns would be obliged to comply.As formal suspects - a status they may hold for eight to 10 months - the McCanns would be obliged to comply.
No bail conditions, travel restrictions or charges have been imposed on the couple, who had been questioned separately for more than 24 hours.No bail conditions, travel restrictions or charges have been imposed on the couple, who had been questioned separately for more than 24 hours.
Police in Portugal are now waiting for the results of tests being carried out on forensic evidence by the Forensic Science Service in Birmingham.Police in Portugal are now waiting for the results of tests being carried out on forensic evidence by the Forensic Science Service in Birmingham.
'Pressure to confess''Pressure to confess'
During an 11-hour interview, detectives suggested to Mrs McCann that traces of Madeleine's blood were found in the family's hire car.During an 11-hour interview, detectives suggested to Mrs McCann that traces of Madeleine's blood were found in the family's hire car.
The McCanns are heading for their home in LeicestershireThe McCanns are heading for their home in Leicestershire
The family say this is impossible as they did not rent the vehicle until 25 days after Madeleine disappeared.The family say this is impossible as they did not rent the vehicle until 25 days after Madeleine disappeared.
Mrs McCann told the Sunday Mirror that during the interview, Portuguese police put her under pressure to confess that she killed her daughter by accident.Mrs McCann told the Sunday Mirror that during the interview, Portuguese police put her under pressure to confess that she killed her daughter by accident.
She said that police "want me to lie - I'm being framed".She said that police "want me to lie - I'm being framed".
Speaking on Friday, before she was made an arguida, she added: "Police don't want a murder in Portugal and all the publicity about them not having paedophile laws here, so they're blaming us."Speaking on Friday, before she was made an arguida, she added: "Police don't want a murder in Portugal and all the publicity about them not having paedophile laws here, so they're blaming us."
'Worst nightmare''Worst nightmare'
Her husband Gerry told the News of the World that Portuguese officers were looking for a quick end to the case and were exploiting apparent discrepancies in the couple's account of what happened.Her husband Gerry told the News of the World that Portuguese officers were looking for a quick end to the case and were exploiting apparent discrepancies in the couple's account of what happened.
He said: "In a system that you don't know and don't really trust it's incredibly frightening."He said: "In a system that you don't know and don't really trust it's incredibly frightening."
Mr McCann said he and his wife had thought they were "in our worst nightmare but now it just keeps getting worse and worse".Mr McCann said he and his wife had thought they were "in our worst nightmare but now it just keeps getting worse and worse".
Due to legal restrictions on police under Portuguese law, they are unable to respond to the claims made by the McCanns.Due to legal restrictions on police under Portuguese law, they are unable to respond to the claims made by the McCanns.
However, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has said she is satisfied with the way Portuguese police have conducted the investigation.However, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has said she is satisfied with the way Portuguese police have conducted the investigation.
She said she was "clear that the Portuguese police have the objective of solving this crime".She said she was "clear that the Portuguese police have the objective of solving this crime".
"This is a difficult situation, it's an ongoing investigation but I'm confident that we share the objective of finding Madeleine and that's the most important thing," she told BBC One's Sunday AM."This is a difficult situation, it's an ongoing investigation but I'm confident that we share the objective of finding Madeleine and that's the most important thing," she told BBC One's Sunday AM.
The UK would continue to provide specialist forensic help as well as supporting the family, she added.The UK would continue to provide specialist forensic help as well as supporting the family, she added.