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/7186383.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Madeleine case papers ruling due Madeleine case papers ruling due
(30 minutes later)
A judge in Portugal is to consider whether the suspects in the Madeleine McCann case should have access to the police files about her disappearance.A judge in Portugal is to consider whether the suspects in the Madeleine McCann case should have access to the police files about her disappearance.
Until now, Portuguese law has prevented Robert Murat and Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, from seeing the evidence against them. Portuguese law has prevented Robert Murat, 33, and Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry, from seeing evidence.
It is eight months since Mr Murat, 33, was made an "arguido" - official suspect - in the case. But it is now eight months since Mr Murat was made a suspect - a period which ends the first phase of judicial secrecy, although this can be extended.
His mother Jenny has told the BBC she is "angry" about what has happened. Madeleine, four, was last seen in Praia da Luz in Portugal on 3 May last year.
'Living in limbo' Secrecy move
Monday's eight-month milestone could have brought an end to the restrictions of judicial secrecy surrounding the case. The eight-month deadline means the local prosecutor must inform his superior why he wants more time and how long he needs.
The milestone could have brought an end to the restrictions of judicial secrecy surrounding the case.
This would have allowed former property developer Mr Murat and the McCanns to see the files of evidence against them.This would have allowed former property developer Mr Murat and the McCanns to see the files of evidence against them.
However, last week the Portuguese prosecutor applied to have the files kept secret, a request that the judge on Monday is likely to agree to.However, last week the Portuguese prosecutor applied to have the files kept secret, a request that the judge on Monday is likely to agree to.
The McCanns' spokesman Clarence Mitchell said the couple were "extremely disappointed" at the move.The McCanns' spokesman Clarence Mitchell said the couple were "extremely disappointed" at the move.
'Living in limbo'
Mr Murat's mother, Jenny, 71, has told the BBC she is angry about what has happened to her son, who was the first person in the case to be made an "arguido" - official suspect.
I know he didn't leave the house that night Jenny MuratI know he didn't leave the house that night Jenny Murat
Mr Murat's mother Jenny, 71, said she and her son had been living in "limbo" since he was made a suspect on 14 May last year. She said he had been living in "limbo" since he was made a suspect on 14 May last year.
"It's almost been a nothing," she said of the period. "It's just in my mind 24 hours a day.""It's almost been a nothing," she said of the period. "It's just in my mind 24 hours a day."
An extension to Mr Murat's suspect status could be granted on the grounds that the case is one of "exceptional complexity".An extension to Mr Murat's suspect status could be granted on the grounds that the case is one of "exceptional complexity".
Madeleine, four, was last seen in her family's holiday apartment in the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz on 3 May. Madeleine's parents are also both arguidos in the case.
Her parents, Kate and Gerry, are also both arguidos in the case.
Goodwill messages
Mrs Murat told the BBC that on the night Madeleine was last seen, she and her son had been together at her villa in Praia da Luz.Mrs Murat told the BBC that on the night Madeleine was last seen, she and her son had been together at her villa in Praia da Luz.
"I know he didn't leave the house that night," she said."I know he didn't leave the house that night," she said.
She said she was frustrated at how long he had been a suspect - "and really quite angry that we have been involved in it".She said she was frustrated at how long he had been a suspect - "and really quite angry that we have been involved in it".
Madeleine was last seen in Praia da Luz on 3 May last year
But she added: "My strength is that we have told the truth right from the beginning."But she added: "My strength is that we have told the truth right from the beginning."
She added that she and her son had received many cards from people offering their support. Cards boost
Mrs Murat said she and her son had received many cards from people offering their support.
"It really makes you feel so good that people are thinking about you," she said."It really makes you feel so good that people are thinking about you," she said.
Madeleine was last seen in Praia da Luz on 3 May last year
"I know that it's given Robert a terrific boost.""I know that it's given Robert a terrific boost."
The BBC's Alison Roberts in Portugal said there was no obligation on police or public prosecutors to make any kind of announcement on Monday's developments.The BBC's Alison Roberts in Portugal said there was no obligation on police or public prosecutors to make any kind of announcement on Monday's developments.
Any news was likely to come through the lawyers in the case, she said. She said: "In no case is there any obligation on police or public prosecutors to make any kind of announcement on these developments, nor is it normal for them to do so.
Last Tuesday, it was reported that prosecutors had begun moves to reinterview people involved in the case. "If there is a change in the status of a suspect or suspects, that normally emerges through the lawyers."
Last Tuesday, it was reported that prosecutors had begun moves to re-interview people involved in the case.
Among those that could be spoken to are Mr and Mrs McCann themselves and the friends they dined with in Praia da Luz on the night Madeleine was last seen.Among those that could be spoken to are Mr and Mrs McCann themselves and the friends they dined with in Praia da Luz on the night Madeleine was last seen.