Kate and Gerry McCann, both
39, have been in touch with
Mr Miliband since the start
of their ordeal 131 days
ago, and see the South
Shields MP as their last
option for support if they
were charged with killing
their daughter.
Speaking to the Gazette
today, David Hughes, one of
the McCann family's inner
circle of advisers, said:
"If the situation progresses
much further, we'll make
direct contact again with Mr
Miliband to ask for his help
and support."
The likelihood of Kate and
Gerry McCann being charged
over the death of their
daughter was dramatically
increased this morning,
after DNA found in the
family's hire-car was
reported as 'almost
certainly' Madeleine's.
Embattled and
broken-hearted, the McCanns
returned to England this
week without their missing
daughter Madeleine.
Portuguese detectives are
gathering evidence in the
hope of charging Mrs McCann
with homicide by failing to
prevent her death – the
equivalent of the British
charge of manslaughter.
It is believed she, along
with her husband, both 39,
will also face charges of
helping to dispose of the
four-year-old's body.
 |
|
Missing...Madeleine
McCann |
Now the couple could be
about to turn to Mr Miliband
again for help.
Missing...Madeleine
McCann
A whispering campaign in the
Portuguese media cast doubt
on the McCanns' version of
events long before
Madeleine's parents were
officially declared 'arguidos'
or suspects.
Today, unnamed police
sources said tests returned
from the Forensic Science
Service in Birmingham on a
specimen taken from a
Renault Scenic hired by the
McCanns revealed a full
match of Madeleine's DNA.
The results could prove that
Madeleine, aged three when
she went missing, was in the
boot of the car, which was
not hired until 25 days
after she went missing.
Police in Portugal revealed
the evidence to the McCanns
during questioning last
week.
It has also emerged that the
family's phone lines and
e-mail accounts have been
tapped by police.
Now back in Britain, the
couple are set to continue
their close relationship
with the Foreign Office,
headed by Foreign Secretary
David Miliband.
Mr McCann has already spoken
to Mr Miliband on the phone.
Family friend David Hughes
told the Gazette: "Both
Gerry and Kate have been in
touch with Mr Miliband, and
Gerry once spoke to him for
more than an hour about the
situation."
Mr Hughes sat with Mrs
McCann as she was grilled by
Portuguese police as a
witness, and then as an
official suspect, earlier
this month.
He said: "We've had the
British Consul from the
Foreign Office present
during the questioning, and
the department has been
helpful with the provision
of translators and advice.
"We've no idea just how
likely it is that Portuguese
police will pursue charges
against Kate and Gerry.
"But it is a possibility
that if the situation
progresses further, we'll
make direct contact again
with Mr Miliband."
Another friend of the couple
said they are urging Mr
Miliband to give "any help
he can".
The friend added: "There is
a danger of a shocking
injustice here.
"Kate and Gerry are appalled
that anybody could think
Kate would harm any of her
children."
Mr Miliband said: "This is
an independent judicial
process we fully respect.
Consular services are being
provided.
"Above all, this is about a
little girl."
