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Madeleine McCann case: Portuguese police reopen inquiry Madeleine McCann case: Portuguese police reopen inquiry
(34 minutes later)
Portuguese police have reopened their inquiry into the disappearance of British girl Madeleine McCann, the public prosecutor's office has said.Portuguese police have reopened their inquiry into the disappearance of British girl Madeleine McCann, the public prosecutor's office has said.
Madeleine, from Leicestershire, was three when she disappeared from Praia da Luz in the Algarve in May 2007.Madeleine, from Leicestershire, was three when she disappeared from Praia da Luz in the Algarve in May 2007.
Portugal's attorney-general said "new elements of evidence" justified the "continuation of the investigation", which was shelved in 2008. Portugal's attorney general said "new elements of evidence" justified the "continuation of the investigation", which was shelved by police in 2008.
Madeleine's parents said they hoped for "the answers we so desperately need".Madeleine's parents said they hoped for "the answers we so desperately need".
Scotland Yard began a review of the case in May 2011 - codenamed Operation Grange - and opened a formal investigation in July this year.Scotland Yard began a review of the case in May 2011 - codenamed Operation Grange - and opened a formal investigation in July this year.
They said the Portuguese decision followed the "discovery of new lines of inquiry as a result of an internal review of the original investigation by the Portuguese Policia Judiciaria". Portuguese police said a review team had been working since March 2011 to look back through information from the original investigation - and this process had uncovered potential new lines of inquiry.
'Highly significant' 'Best opportunity'
It comes after Scotland Yard said at a briefing earlier this year that the Portuguese inquiry would not be re-opened until judges in Portugal were convinced there were solid grounds to do so. The decision comes after Scotland Yard said at a briefing earlier this year that the Portuguese inquiry would not be re-opened until judges there were convinced there were solid grounds to do so.
It would appear the decision is highly significant, BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said. It would appear that this decision is highly significant, BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said.
Scotland Yard said Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley and Det Ch Insp Andy Redwood attended a meeting with senior Portuguese officers on 17 October in Lisbon for a briefing on the new lines of enquiry which they say "are separate" to the lines of inquiry being followed by the Met. Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley and Det Ch Insp Andy Redwood met senior Portuguese police in Lisbon last Thursday for a briefing on the new lines of enquiry, which are "separate" to those being followed by the Met.
Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, were also briefed on the plans to apply to reopen the investigation. Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, were also briefed on the case during the meeting.
They said they were "very pleased" at the development. They said they were "very pleased" the Portuguese inquiry, which will run in parallel with the Met operation, was being reopened.
Mr Rowley, assistant commissioner for specialist crime and operations, said in a statement: "The meeting was very positive, and we and the Policia Judiciaria have a shared determination to do everything possible to discover what happened to Madeleine. "We hope that this will finally lead to her being found and to the discovery of whoever is responsible for this crime," they said.
"Colleagues in Portugal fully shared with us the developments in their review, and the fact that they were taking the significant step of applying for the investigation to be formally reopened. "We once again urge any member of the public who may have information relating to Madeleine's abduction to contact the police in Portugal or the UK."
"Today's development is good news. Combined with the formal re-opening of the Portuguese investigation today, and our ever closer working relationship, I believe that we have the best opportunity yet to finally understand what happened to Madeleine." Mr Rowley, assistant commissioner for specialist crime and operations, said the meeting was "very positive" and both forces had a "shared determination" to solve the case.
The Met said the Portuguese investigation would run in parallel with its own operation. "I believe that we have the best opportunity yet to finally understand what happened to Madeleine," he said.
UK Home Secretary Theresa May welcomed the development, saying: "I I hope what we are going to see is a resolution of this case for the sake of Maddie's parents and family."
Thursday 3 May 2007: TimelineThursday 3 May 2007: Timeline
Clickable map and timelineClickable map and timeline
Madeleine went missing from her family's holiday apartment on 3 May 2007, as her parents dined with friends at a nearby tapas bar.Madeleine went missing from her family's holiday apartment on 3 May 2007, as her parents dined with friends at a nearby tapas bar.
The three-year-old and her brother and sister were left in the apartment at 20:30, with their father checking on them at 21:05.The three-year-old and her brother and sister were left in the apartment at 20:30, with their father checking on them at 21:05.
Mrs McCann raised the alarm at 22:00 when she realised Madeleine was gone.Mrs McCann raised the alarm at 22:00 when she realised Madeleine was gone.
Since then there has been much speculation about what happened to the youngster.Since then there has been much speculation about what happened to the youngster.
A Met Police appeal launched on BBC Crimewatch last week prompted 2,400 responses.A Met Police appeal launched on BBC Crimewatch last week prompted 2,400 responses.
Met detectives also released two e-fits of a man seen carrying a child in Praia da Luz at 22:00 on the night Madeleine went missing and it was revealed that they now suspected Madeleine could have been taken later than previously thought - just before her mother returned to the apartment to check on her.Met detectives also released two e-fits of a man seen carrying a child in Praia da Luz at 22:00 on the night Madeleine went missing and it was revealed that they now suspected Madeleine could have been taken later than previously thought - just before her mother returned to the apartment to check on her.
The Met are offering a £20,000 reward for information.
They say their inquiries have led to the new timeline and "accepted version of events" surrounding Madeleine's disappearance being significantly changed.
Det Ch Insp Andy Redwood said further appeals on similar programmes in the Netherlands and Germany had led to hundreds of calls.
The next stage of the appeal will be in Ireland later this month.
On Wednesday, Met Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe defended the way Portuguese police had handled the initial investigation into Madeleine's disappearance.
"I'm sure for them that must have been a challenge. Anybody can go back after two, three, five, six years and say 'why didn't you do that'? That's easy in hindsight," he said.