Met chief vows no let-up in search for Madeleine

Met chief vows no let-up in search for Madeleine

By: John Twomey
Published: Fri, August 15, 2014

BRITAIN’S top policeman vowed to keep going in the hunt to discover what happened to Madeleine McCann after Scotland Yard’s major operations this summer.

The little girl was three when she vanished from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in May 2007.

In June and July, suspects were questioned and huge areas in the Algarve were searched by specialist police squads and dogs – with Yard detectives in attendance.

Operation Grange was launched in May 2011 after Madeleine’s parents Gerry, 45, and Kate, 46, of Rothley, Leics, appealed to David Cameron.

Around 40 detectives and civilian staff are dedicated to the inquiry, which has so far cost an estimated £6million.

Yesterday, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said: “The investigation is still ongoing and we will not be reducing the team.”

He praised Portuguese authorities for allowing Yard detectives to take part in the summer search.

“A reasonable amount of progress has been made,” he added.

However, no trace of Madeleine has been found and police have no idea what happened to her.

Sir Bernard believes the ideal way to tackle the case is with a joint squad of British and Portuguese police.

That would speed up many aspects of the inquiry, but authorities in Lisbon are against the move.

Suspicion has focused on drug addict Euclides Monteiro.

Monteiro, who served a jail term for burglary, died in a tractor accident, aged 40, in 2009.

His widow says he had nothing to do with the disappearance.

Following this year’s searches, Gerry and Kate McCann said they were encouraged by the lack of evidence to suggest Madeleine was murdered.

They are convinced their daughter could still be alive and will one day be returned to them.

Scotland Yard is offering £20,000 as a reward for information.

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/499453/Met-chief-let-up-search-Madeleine