Kate and Gerry McCann's holiday friends will be quizzed again to check alleged discrepancies in their stories.

The Tapas Seven, who had dinner with the McCanns on the night their daughter Madeleine, four, vanished, will have more than 100 questions put to them by Portuguese police.

Paulo Rebelo, leading the hunt for Madeleine, who disappeared on holiday in Praia da Luz on May 3, will arrive in the UK in nine days' time. British police will conduct interviews on his behalf.

David Payne, Jane Tanner and her partner Russell O'Brien are expected to be the first to be questioned.

A source told Portuguese paper 24 Horas, said: "We are at a crucial phase. There are clear contradictions in the statements that the McCanns and their friends gave. Many things have to be clarified.

"The need to question Madeleine's parents again will be determined by the results of the interrogations of their holiday friends."