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McCanns consulting lawyers in UK Prosecutor reviews Madeleine case
(about 2 hours later)
The parents of missing Madeleine McCann are consulting lawyers in the UK after returning from Portugal. Police papers detailing the inquiry into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann are expected to be passed to the public prosecutor in Portugal later.
Kate and Gerry McCann, both 39, have been named as formal suspects in the case of the four-year-old, who vanished from their holiday apartment on 3 May. He will review all the information gathered by police, three days after her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, were named formal suspects in the case.
They returned home to Rothley, Leics, with their other children on Sunday, and have since appealed for privacy. The McCanns, both 39 and from Rothley, Leicestershire, have returned to the UK and are consulting lawyers.
The BBC's Alison Roberts in Portugal said police were expected to take further action in the next few days. Four-year-old Madeleine was last seen in their Algarve apartment on 3 May.
This could involve further interviews or other inquiries, she added. Mr and Mrs McCann returned home to Rothley with their two-year-old twins on Sunday, and have since appealed for privacy.
Further resultsFurther results
A Portuguese prosecutor is expected to begin reviewing the evidence in the investigation on Monday. The McCanns can be recalled to Portugal with five days' notice. They are being advised by London-based lawyers Michael Caplan QC and Angus McBride.
The McCanns can be recalled to Portugal with five days' notice. They are being advised by Michael Caplan QC and Angus McBride, from London legal firm Kingsley Napley.
Mr Caplan acted for former Chilean dictator General Augusto Pinochet when Spain attempted to extradite him from the UK in 1999.Mr Caplan acted for former Chilean dictator General Augusto Pinochet when Spain attempted to extradite him from the UK in 1999.
Statement in full Emotional homecoming In Pictures: McCanns returnStatement in full Emotional homecoming In Pictures: McCanns return
Media reports, unconfirmed by police, have said that Portuguese officers have been preparing to make searches.Media reports, unconfirmed by police, have said that Portuguese officers have been preparing to make searches.
They are still awaiting further results from forensic tests carried out in the UK on samples taken from the McCanns' apartment in Praia da Luz and at least one vehicle used by the family and their friends.They are still awaiting further results from forensic tests carried out in the UK on samples taken from the McCanns' apartment in Praia da Luz and at least one vehicle used by the family and their friends.
Partial results from these tests triggered a series of events which led to the McCanns being declared formal suspects, or "arguidos" - a status they may hold for eight to 10 months.Partial results from these tests triggered a series of events which led to the McCanns being declared formal suspects, or "arguidos" - a status they may hold for eight to 10 months.
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 were questioned separately for more than 24 hours last week.
After the family arrived at East Midlands Airport on Sunday, an emotional Gerry McCann said they had returned for the sake of their two-year-old twins, Amelie and Sean, and he appealed for their privacy to be respected. After the family arrived at East Midlands Airport on Sunday, an emotional Gerry McCann said they had returned for the sake of their twins, Amelie and Sean, and he appealed for their privacy to be respected.
Under pressureUnder pressure
He said neither he nor his wife had played any part in the disappearance of their "lovely daughter".He said neither he nor his wife had played any part in the disappearance of their "lovely daughter".
But journalists from across the world are still camped out in their village following their return.But journalists from across the world are still camped out in their village following their return.
The couple told Sunday newspapers that they believed Portuguese police were trying to frame them and put Kate under pressure to confess that she killed her daughter by accident. The couple told Sunday newspapers that they believed Portuguese police were trying to frame them and put Mrs McCann under pressure to confess that she killed her daughter by accident.
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 had been found in the family's hire car, she said.
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.
'Spurious evidence''Spurious evidence'
Allan Scott, a lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire's School of Forensic and Investigative Sciences, said cross-contamination needed to be considered.Allan Scott, a lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire's School of Forensic and Investigative Sciences, said cross-contamination needed to be considered.
ARGUIDO/ARGUIDA STATUS Officially a suspectBestowed by police or requested by individualRight to remain silentRight to a lawyerARGUIDO/ARGUIDA STATUS Officially a suspectBestowed by police or requested by individualRight to remain silentRight to a lawyer
He said "secondary transfer" of Madeleine's DNA may have occurred and that DNA is "so sensitive" that if two people met in the street and shook hands and then one committed a crime, they could possibly leave the other person's DNA at the scene.He said "secondary transfer" of Madeleine's DNA may have occurred and that DNA is "so sensitive" that if two people met in the street and shook hands and then one committed a crime, they could possibly leave the other person's DNA at the scene.
Mr McCann's sister Philomena said the family were now trying to cope with the intricacies of the Portuguese legal system.Mr McCann's sister Philomena said the family were now trying to cope with the intricacies of the Portuguese legal system.
"They are taking legal advice and trying to work through the maze that is the Portuguese legal system," she said. "It is unbelievable they have been named as suspects. No-one believes the Portuguese police," she said.
"It is unbelievable they have been named as suspects, no one believes the Portuguese police. "[The police] are assuming, on spurious evidence, that Madeleine is now dead.
"They are assuming on spurious evidence that Madeleine is now dead.
"Well, we don't agree with that in any shape or form, and we want the investigation changed round to look for Madeleine alive, as we reckon she is.""Well, we don't agree with that in any shape or form, and we want the investigation changed round to look for Madeleine alive, as we reckon she is."
Due to legal restrictions under Portuguese law, the police are unable to respond to the claims made by the McCanns.Due to legal restrictions under Portuguese law, the police 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. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has said she is satisfied with the way Portuguese police have conducted the investigation.