MADELEINE McCANN UPDATE 22

NEW MADDY SUSPECT APPEAL
26/05/2007


MADELEINE MCCANN

POLICE in Portugal last night issued an appeal over a new suspect - after they were forced to by Madeleine's parents.

Sources close to the family said they threatened to sue unless detectives disclosed the lead.

It follows a sighting by a British woman - believed to be a holiday friend of the McCanns.

She saw a man carrying a child around the time Madeleine vanished more than three weeks ago.

He is said to be white, between 35 and 40, medium build, about 5ft 10in with short hair.

Chief Insp Olegario Sousa refused to say if Brit expat Robert Murat is still a main suspect and admitted the description "could fit a lot of people".

Asked why it took so long to launch the latest appeal, he said: "We did not feel it was necessary."

MADDY COPS 'FAILED BASICS'
Expert blasts Madeleine hunt police.
Martin Fricker In Praia Da Luz Martin.Fricker@Mirror.Co.Uk 24/05/2007

POLICE probing the kidnap of Madeleine McCann made basic errors, a child protection expert said yesterday.

Accusing them of failing to complete the fundamental "building blocks", former detective Mark Williams-Thomas said: "It was the worst preserved crime scene I've ever seen."

Mr Williams-Thomas hit out as it emerged that there is NO evidence to link sole suspect Robert Murat with the disappearance three weeks ago of Madeleine, four.

The expert visited the kidnap scene in the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz in the early stages of the inquiry.

Mr Williams-Thomas said local detectives failed to cordon off the wider crime scene.

In doing so, they blew the "best possible chance" of collecting vital evidence.

He said: "The first 24 hours are absolutely vital. This major window of opportunity was lost because of failings."

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