Prosecutor To Consider McCann Charges

Portuguese detectives are pressing ahead with their case against the parents of Madeleine McCann - even though the couple have now returned to the UK.

Papers outlining the evidence against Gerry and Kate McCann are expected to be passed to the Public Prosecutor later today. The news came as a family spokesman said both the McCanns and their twins had had a good night's sleep. The prosecutor will then consider any charges against the couple over Madeleine's disappearance on May 3, Portuguese police spokesman Olegario Sousa added.

The Portimao-based prosecutor, Jose Cunha de Magalhaes e Meneses, will look at the DNA evidence as well as the statements given by the McCanns to see if there is a case against the couple. Sky News reporter Jason Farrell, who is in Praia da Luz, said: "We don't know as yet how strong the evidence is against the couple. "It's quite possible the prosecutor will look at this and press charges - or equally that no charges will follow." Chief Inspector Sousa confirmed: "At the moment the inquiry is being prepared to be handed to the prosecutor in charge of the case.
"He will analyse it and after this he will make his decision."

He said Portuguese police decided to pass the file on to the prosecutor despite not having all the results from forensic tests being carried out by the Forensic Science Service in Birmingham.
Mr Sousa said: "The information is that we have received part of the forensic results, so we are waiting for the rest."

The McCanns' Portuguese lawyer, Carlos Pinto de Abreu, has said he has no idea how long it would take for the case to be concluded. It is understood the McCanns could have to wait months before learning whether they will be charged or cleared. Portuguese detectives appear to be working on the theory that Mrs McCann killed her daughter by accident and covered up the death by claiming she was abducted. FSS test results received in recent weeks have apparently boosted this hypothesis. Mr McCann's alleged role is not clear, but sources said police believe he was an accessory to the killing.

It is now 130 days since Madeleine went missing from her bed in her family's
holiday apartment in Praia da Luz while her parents dined at a nearby tapas
restaurant. Mr and Mrs McCann returned to their home in Rothley, Leicestershire, yesterday
with their two-year-old twins, Sean and Amelie. Philomena McCann, Madeleine's aunt, said today it was "unbelievable" that Kate and Gerry McCann had been named as "arguidos", or formal suspects, in her disappearance.

"The way the Portuguese have turned this investigation round, and they are no
longer looking for a live child, they are assuming on spurious evidence, that
Madeleine is now dead, well, we don't agree with that in any shape or form,"
she told BBC Breakfast. "We want the investigation changed round to look for Madeleine alive, as we reckon she is."

Ms McCann said the couple would be "absolutely" co-operating with the
Portuguese police and were prepared to return to Portugal to undergo further
questioning.