This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7184279.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Bid for secrecy in Madeleine case Bid for secrecy in Madeleine case
(about 1 hour later)
The Portuguese prosecutor in the case of Madeleine McCann has applied for files to be kept secret for longer.The Portuguese prosecutor in the case of Madeleine McCann has applied for files to be kept secret for longer.
The request means the three official suspects, who include Madeleine's parents, cannot yet discover what case police have against them.The request means the three official suspects, who include Madeleine's parents, cannot yet discover what case police have against them.
Case files are usually opened eight months after police start their investigation on an individual. Her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, were described as being "extremely disappointed" by the decision.
Madeleine, four, from Rothley, Leics, was last seen in Praia da Luz in the Algarve on 3 May last year.Madeleine, four, from Rothley, Leics, was last seen in Praia da Luz in the Algarve on 3 May last year.
Case files are usually opened eight months after police start their investigation on an individual.
Prosecutors can ask a judge to keep files closed on the grounds that opening them would undermine the ongoing investigation.Prosecutors can ask a judge to keep files closed on the grounds that opening them would undermine the ongoing investigation.
Filed requestFiled request
Next Monday marks eight months since British expatriate Robert Murat was declared the first arguido, or official suspect.Next Monday marks eight months since British expatriate Robert Murat was declared the first arguido, or official suspect.
But the BBC has learned prosecutors have already filed their request to keep the files closed.But the BBC has learned prosecutors have already filed their request to keep the files closed.
The judge's decision on secrecy will apply to all those involved in the case.The judge's decision on secrecy will apply to all those involved in the case.
Therefore, if he accepts the prosecutor's argument, Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, will also continue with no access to the evidence, if any, police have against them. Therefore, if he accepts the prosecutor's argument, Kate and Gerry McCann will also continue with no access to the evidence, if any, which police have against them.
Their official spokesman said it was "almost inhumane" that they were still suspects in their daughter's disappearance.
'Almost inhumane'
Clarence Mitchell said: "This is extremely disappointing. However, it's not surprising, given that the Portuguese police are continuing to work on the case.
"We will continue to co-operate with the Portuguese police, of course. However, the delay in resolving the case and eliminating Gerry and Kate is now becoming almost inhumane."
He called on Portuguese detectives to come to the UK to carry out whatever interviews they needed to eliminate the couple from the inquiry.
The investigation itself continues, with prosecutors still finalising their formal request for witnesses to be interviewed in the UK.The investigation itself continues, with prosecutors still finalising their formal request for witnesses to be interviewed in the UK.