Kate McCann, the mother of missing Madeleine McCann, will be named as a formal
suspect later today, according to a family spokesman.
Mrs McCann - who was questioned by Portuguese police for 11 hours yesterday -
will be made an 'arguido' - a formal suspect - after she returns for more
questioning at 10.30am.
Her husband, Gerry, will be interviewed separately this afternoon.
The only other formal suspect so far was Robert Murat, an expatriate Briton who
lived nearby the apartment where Madeleine went missing on 3 May, 127 days ago.
Formal suspects under Portuguese law receive more legal protection, including
the right to remain silent during questioning and the right to legal
representation.
Kate McCann faced a gruelling session yesterday at the headquarters of the
Policia Judiciaria - Portugal's
CID - in the city of Portimao.
She eventually emerged at just before one o'clock this morning.
Her lawyer Carlos Pinto de Abreu read a brief statement to the waiting
journalists.
He said: "Kate was held throughout the whole day as a witness and she
remains a witness.
"It is obvious that investigations will continue, and I cannot say
anything else because of the secrecy laws."
When it became clear that Mrs McCann would be required to return for more
questioning, her status as a formal suspect became inevitable.
The family spokesman said: "Just before the session ended last night, they
made it clear they had some further questions to ask which would require her to
be in arguido status rather than just witness status."
Referring to Mrs McCann's condition the spokesman added: "She is shocked
and surprised in several ways. First of all that such an accusation could be
made against her.
"And obviously she is concerned that such a line of investigation can
become a distraction from further attempts to find Madeleine."
Four-year-old Madeleine went missing from her family's flat in Praia da Luz
back in May while her parents ate at a nearby tapas restaurant.
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