If they know they are innocent and have nothing to fear then why not answer the questions? Refusing and stonewalling give utterly the wrong impression. And suddenly flying home also muddies the waters.

- John Walter, Germany, 9/9/2007 23:29

The police shouldn't have let them leave if they feel this strongly. Extradition wouldn't have been necessary then.

- Adam, Leeds, UK, 9/9/2007 23:32

No way will they get a fair trial in Portugal.

- John Hosty, Burlington, 9/9/2007 23:35

Whatever happens, the McCann couple, despite half the world seemingly wanting them to be canonised, are guilty of neglecting their unprotected little children. I thought that alone was against the law?

- Queenie Tennyson, UK, 9/9/2007 23:38

Let's all please just remember - innocent until proven guilty.

- Heidi, London, England, 9/9/2007 23:45

In Australia police need evidence to charge someone, is that not required by the Portuguese Police? Is there evidence that we aren't being told about?

- Jock Mcsporren, Brisbane, Australia, 9/9/2007 23:46

None of us know what evidence the Police have. Their laws are different to ours, that does not make them wrong. Refusing to answer questions, high tailing it back to Britain. Perhaps the PJ are on the correct trail. The McCanns do themselves no favours at all.

- Caroline, Manchester, 9/9/2007 23:58

This couple have lived a nightmare scenario. No decent parent would harm their children and if they are not guilty they have nothing to worry about, but if they are guilty this will haunt them until they face their maker.

- Laurence, Havering Essex, 10/9/2007 0:09

How perfectly odd. I seem to remember this couple saying that they'd co-operate fully with the Police investigation in order to 'help find Madeleine', and that they'd stay in Portugal to 'clear their names'. How has returning home helped the Police, the 'search' or their stated intention of restoring their good names...?

- Dave Armstrong, Leeds, UK, 10/9/2007 0:14

Congratulations to the Portuguese police for standing firm in the face of ludicrous posturing from xenophobic British press and even government ministers. Please see this through to the end and get justice for poor Madeleine.

- P Clarinet, Essex, 10/9/2007 0:20

Anyone who has followed the coverage of this tradegy know that it is not possible for these parents to have harmed their daughter. The timeline, among other things, doesnt add up. I hope the police come to their senses and stop torturing this poor family.

- Christina, Kansas, USA, 10/9/2007 0:23

If the Portuguese Police really have hard evidence then they should have alerted the UK police. And the UK police and social services should have made provision to protect the twins.

This looks like a red herring story.

I would like to know who had hired the car in the weeks prior to the McCanns? and ask the scientists if the DNA could have been transferred from clothes or the toy Kate has carried daily since Maddy went missing.

Although I believe the parents have acted strangly, I just do not see the Police case unless Murat the other suspect was complicit in someway and that means a whole conspiracy including other friends and associates.

- Purps, Chelmsford, Essex, 10/9/2007 0:24

There is only one victim here and that is Madeleine. The whole situation would not have happened had her parents not behaved in a negligent manner there is no getting around that fact. I can't understand the people who are acting as though these parents are blameless and are the victims of the Portuguese police.

- Alicia, Dallas,USA, 10/9/2007 0:25

If they have nothing to hide why did they both refuse to answer 40 questions put to them?

I hope we will find out what happened to the real victim in all of this Madeleine.

- Sue M, London, 10/9/2007 0:31

If the Portuguese cops have something on the McCanns, let them make official charges. Otherwise, they should keep their incompetent mouths shut.

- Vituperator, New Orleans, USA, 10/9/2007 0:48

Why are they running from the law?

- Stuart, Manchester, England, 10/9/2007 1:32

The Portugese police will indeed now do their utmost best to find the body. No Police in any country would look kindly on an attempt to insult them and accuse them of tardiness or stupidity.

- Nondog32, UK, 10/9/2007 1:47

In view of the fact that the police are supposed to maintain silence in an ongoing case, how come all this is being published? The whole thing stinks. My heart continues to go out to the McCaans who really have been to hell - and not yet back!

- Sue Shaw, Morpeth, UK, 10/9/2007 2:37

Gerry and Kate should not return to Portugal. Portuguese laws are unbelievable. They could be arrested and jailed and be made to wait up to 4 years for a formal charge to be brought. They will never get a fair trial there - both the police and the judges will be more interested in "clearing" Portugal's image abroad than finding out the truth.

- Wendy, UK, 10/9/2007 3:28

It all seems very strange to me.

- J.M.Hixon, Rayleigh, Essex, 10/9/2007 3:39

'The McCanns fear they are being framed to cover up the incompetence of police'
(?) The only people framed here are those who believed (worse still, those who still do) this sinister unscrupulous couple's story.

- Octavio Moramont, Barcelona Spain, 10/9/2007 5:56

The idea that the McCanns are connect to their daughter's death is absurd. Should they be arrested, charged and ultimately found guilty, it will help to discredit and put doubt in people's minds just how unsafe some convictions are which are based just on forensic evidence. I've always taken the view that forensic evidence is scientific and indisputable. It would appeaar that that too is up for interpretation.

- Elizabeth Collins, England, 10/9/2007 6:12

If they are innocent then why don't they answer the questions?

- Sam, Essex, 10/9/2007 6:41

I think it's quite clear that the Portguese Police are so desperate to bring this matter to a close to avoid any more criticism about the way they've completely botched the investigation from start to finish, from failing to respond quickly enough, not closing the borders, contaminating the crime scene that they are now trying to bully the parents into admitting it was they who did it! The British Police should have been brought in immediately to help with such a high profile case - they are much more efficient. As if the parents haven't been through enough.

- Katie, London, 10/9/2007 6:45

Just look at Gerry McCanns face... there is a man who has lost his daughter - we should be supporting them not ridiculing them.

- Christine, St. Helens, 10/9/2007 7:57

The McCanns and their supporters are very vocal in damning the Portuguese police and the investigation and not a news bulletin goes past without some family member speaking out. If the McCanns are charged in relation to the disappearance, I am just waiting for the "McCanns Are Innocent" supporters and relatives to start spouting forth "because of the media coverage they won't get a fair trial". The media coverage has been so intense at the McCanns behest. I haven't a clue what has happened to Madeleine and hope she is okay, but more and more I find myself disliking the McCanns and their attitude.

- Roy, Coulby Newham, 10/9/2007 7:58

Beyond belief! I was cynical at first but now more I hear about incompetence of PJ my support of McCann�s intensifies. For a moment I do not believe they have harmed their daughter. It is scary what sort of European Union we joined. Rather then debate about treaty we should demand police force across the Europe to be trained to be able at least to gather evidence and build foundation for the investigation. Listening some of the comments but former detectives like 'alarming errors' at the begining I felt sick. I am glad they are back in the UK. We are strong nation that will pull together and fight for justice.

- Aimee, Manchester, 10/9/2007 8:01

In a TV interview folling the return of the MCCanns I heard an expat say that it was their first respite since the disappearance of Maddie. He also made the comment that there had been constant noise, "for three months from concrete pouring in the main street". I found that most interesting?

- Peter Foster, Halifax UK, 10/9/2007 8:04

Why can't the UK press present readers with some facts about forensic science? Is it, for example, possible that a blood sample can prove a person was dead when the blood was shed?

- Cath, London, 10/9/2007 8:05

I believe we should trust the process of law and the presentation of hard evidence before jumping to any knee-jerk conclusions about their guilt or innocence. My house is divided along emotional lines as to whether the parents did it. Consulting the Pinochet lawyer and playing the set up victim card is not helping their case. I know "L'Etranger" was convicted for not shedding a tear at his mother's funeral; here we should avoid doing the same. Innocent until proven guilty, and we should respect the law of a European country if the evidence is strong and reliable.

- Charliev, London, GB, 10/9/2007 8:07

Regardless of evidence pointing in either direction it is in no one's interest to speculate on this case at this point. The police have a job to do, by their laws. The McCanns have children to care for. The media does not have the full facts from either side so repeatedly putting out stories with one sort of spin or another just sensationalises a story which is tragic regardless of the actual truth behind it. A little girl is missing and being presumed dead by the police. Whether they are right or wrong, that is the tragedy of the story and should be everyone's focus, not continuing to fill column inches with endless hearsay and speculation. That doesn't help anyone. I pray the police are wrong and that if they are, they admit it quickly.

- Rachel M, Hull, 10/9/2007 8:11

So, who will be paying for their 'top British lawyer'? Or is that how the generous 'Find Madeleine' fund is going to be frittered away?

- Maggie G, W. London, 10/9/2007 8:11

The couple always said they would fully co-operate with Police, yet the story says they "stonewalled 40 questions from detectives". Surely just helping the police clear up a few issues would help the matter? That is, unless they have something to hide? Their silence speaks louder than words.

- Simon, London, 10/9/2007 8:19

Why won't Gerry McCann answer the questions put to him by the police? Some of us have been asking these same questions for months, because the McCanns' version of events just doesn't add up. That's why not everybody supports the McCanns, despite what the media would have us believe. This innocent little girl deserves to be laid to rest with dignity if she is sadly no longer alive.

- John, Sevenoaks UK, 10/9/2007 8:20

This case gets more stupid by the day!

- Maria, Scotland, 10/9/2007 8:23

I for one do not believe that these two are innocent.

- Juli, London, 10/9/2007 8:26

As previously stated we only have press reports which are inclined to impose an opinion. Facts are not clear from these reports. Police action seems to be frivolous and retrospective. I doubt that the parents, if brought to court, could now face a fair and reasonable trial. The press have swayed opinion in Portugal. The only people who know are the perpertraor(s) and Madeleine.

- Dave, Worsley, Manchester, 10/9/2007 8:39

This story is ridiculolsly soap opera - what is going on in the world...?

- Eleanor, London, 10/9/2007 8:46

Queenie, you have hit the nail on the head. When will this couple face prosecution in the UK?

- Ff, Sunderland, 10/9/2007 8:55

I do wonder whether the press and public would have been so much on the McCanns side right from the beginning if they had been an ordinary chav couple, instead of very middle class and both doctors?

- John, Witney, 10/9/2007 8:56

In other wortds the Portuguese police want to wrap the case up to save their tourist industry. Frame someone and then forget about it. The only issue we need to be concerned about is that a 4 year old child is still missing.

- Roger Kingston, York, 10/9/2007 8:57

Something with these two just does not add up.

- Matthew Steeples, London, 10/9/2007 9:00

Why all the anger and marching off in interviews when being asked perfectly viable questions?

- Juli, London, 10/9/2007 9:02

They are guilty of neglect, if nothing else.

- Jaime, Manchester, UK, 10/9/2007 9:04

Regarding them consulting a high flying lawyer.

I sincerely hope they are not using any of the funds meant to find Madelaine.

That is NOT what it was intended for.

- Kaz, Wales, 10/9/2007 9:06

The Portuguese police and the Portuguese want this case done with.

- Karen In Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark, 10/9/2007 9:08

I believe I have read that statistically 90% of these cases are 'close to home'.

- Victor M., Malaga, Spain, 10/9/2007 9:09

How can people judge on media reports, just let the police get on with it.

- Thai, Manchester, 10/9/2007 9:12

I must say, I am a little surprised at Gerry and Kate's 'sudden' decision to return home. One minute they want to stay in Portugal to "clear their names", and the next minute they decide to return home. Yes, the twins need to be in a more settled environment at their home (if they remember it), so that probably swayed their decision. Also, hanging over the McCann's heads is the threat of a possible re-call from the Portugese police. So it seems a prudent decision to bring the twins back to England to be with family, should that occassion occur.

- Pip, United Kingdom, 10/9/2007 9:15

"Let's all please just remember - innocent until proven guilty".

Not so Heidi, London. The guilty are guilty, whether proven so or not, just as the innocent are innocent, in spite of a guilty verdict.

- Andrew, Lewes, 10/9/2007 9:18

Their is only one question I would ask why do they keep dragging their children though all this they look terrified of all the reporters, and flashing cameras surly most people would keep the children away form the media fiasco, is this to portray what?

- Mike Stanley, Blackpool, 10/9/2007 9:21

It would appear that this enquiry is being media led. Many years ago I was told by a reporter of a local paper, "If you don't tell me what is going on, I'll make it up". He did and he was wrong, with unfortunate consequences.

- Donald Mason, Preston, 10/9/2007 9:22

Perhaps the McCanns have returned to the UK because they feel under seige in Portugal, both from the press and the police? If they are innocent (which I believe/hope is the case) then being suspected of involvement just be both shattering and terrifying in equal measure.

The only way this case is likely to be solved is if Madeleine or her body is found.

- Suzanne, London, 10/9/2007 9:23

Why do people assume the PJ have no other clues? The Portuguese system is different from yours so don't get any conclusions because the case isn't over yet. The McCanns will be judged if they need to be and all the accusations the PJ may have against them will come out at that time, not now.

Do you think the PJ is so stupid to make the couple as arguidos if they had not enough evidence, after all this media circus was created? The blood in the car was just another evidence to add to the puzzle the PJ has been investigating in the last months.

I am tired of the silly commnets I read from some people!Biased and xenophobe!

- Joana, Lisbon, Portugal, 10/9/2007 9:25

This is DISGUSTING and very distressing. Why can the Foreign Office/Gordon Brown step in and do something? The Portguese Police are a pathetic joke who have bungled this from day one, and now they have no leads are trying to pin it on Kate and Gerry to wash their hands of the whole matter. A disgrace.

- Lucy, Adelaide, 10/9/2007 9:31

Why is no one looking into who hired the car before the McCanns?

- Md, Leicester, UK, 10/9/2007 9:35

Why is it the McCanns say that they cannot comment on the questions put to them by the Portuguese but then they are leaked to the press by "Team McCann"?

- David, Dunmow, 10/9/2007 9:37

If the police threatened Mrs McCanns with jail until any trial, it's not surprising she has come back to the UK! If I was innocent I would also refuse to answer horrific questions - I would be fuming! So the fact they refused to answer questions in its self doesn't mean a thing. Although, like some other people I do wonder what else they might have on them.

- Patrick, Hedge End, Hampshire, 10/9/2007 9:37

I always thought the parents had something to do with it.

- Kate, Newcastle, 10/9/2007 9:39

How does anyone know that the McCann's have not answered the questions put to them? The McCanns cannot speak of the investigation, the Portuguese police have said NOTHING, isn't it all Portuguese press talk, copied by our own press? I shall blieve that the McCanns are guilty only if they confess - until then they are innocent as far as I am concerned - whatever DNA and dogs may 'prove'!

- Margaret Maclean, Bournemouth, Dorset, 10/9/2007 9:43

Sadly, the McCanns have not really demonstrated to the world that they have been responsible parents, by leaving their children 'at home alone' in the first place. Innocent or what? I feel that their apparently cool, calm and collected attitude, seemingly without any real emotion showing, and manipulation of the media has really turned some people against them.

- Robbie, UK, 10/9/2007 9:43

Because of Portugese law we do not hear the full facts behind the McCaan's arrests, but as we all know the case has not been handled professionally from the start so how can anyone trust the stories that are coming out now? If this goes to court please let it be in England or a neutral country because if held in Portugal I fear we will never hear the truth as the Portugese will not want the world to discover how they have let little Madeleine down.

- E>Brooks, Keynsham, Bristol, UK, 10/9/2007 9:44

Let's not forget that the McCanns have not been charged yet. Also they could be charged for neglecting their children because if these little kids had not been left alone they would have been safe. As for the McCanns not getting a fair trial in Portugal, could you be more specific John Hosty? Do you know the facts, do you know the evidence and the laws in Portugal? For your information the Portuguese police has been working very closely with the British police and the media circus surrounding this case is a monster created by the McCanns themselves.

- Maria, Brussels, 10/9/2007 9:46

I believe most of these "stories" come from the extended McCann family and representatives and not the Police. I would wait for formal statements and not listen to tittle tattle.

- Ellen Smith, Medway Kent, 10/9/2007 9:46

I quite agree with Matthew. Something is really wrong with these two! WHY are they running way? Why do they not answer the questions of the police if they're innocent?

- Olga, London, UK, 10/9/2007 9:47

The police by making them suspects have stopped them talking about the case. They have now left Portugal. Now the local businesses and resorts can get back to making money because with the McCanns gone and I presume the posters taken down there will be nothing to remind people of this tragic event in a few weeks and poor Madeleine will be forgetten in Portugal.

- Sharon, Cork, 10/9/2007 9:51

The old adage, the truth will set you free applies to the McCanns here.

- Lorraine, Worthing UK, 10/9/2007 9:51

I can understand why they came home. They are probably terrified that the Portugese authorities will take away their children. At least if they are in this country, they can probably be placed with relatives. As for the so-called evidence - if there was the "scent of death" on the cuddly toy, why wasn't it taken away as evidence instead of letting Kate McCann carry it around? The same goes for the car and the "evidence" in that. As for the apartment itself, at no point was the place secured and the evidence preserved - how can that stand up in a court of law?

- Rebecca, United Kingdom, 10/9/2007 9:52

The Portuguese police are like the Portuguese soccer team. Hang on in there ... and then go for a win on penalties.

And against England that seems to work.

- Simon, Dawlish, 10/9/2007 9:52

As this goes on and on and on, it makes me wonder if the real truth will ever be revealed.

- Ipomea, Jersey, 10/9/2007 9:54

Potuguese police are using well-known smear tactics in the McCann case. The police "leak" dubious information to the press all designed to make the suspects look guilty. Because of the absurd secrecy laws, the suspects are not allowed to defend themselves. You can see the very effective result - in a very short time the McCanns have gone from victims to murderers. They have already been tried and convicted as far as Portuguese public opinion is concerned. Don't come back to Portugal Kate and Gerry, you will never get a fair trial!

- L.Disanti, Algarve, 10/9/2007 9:59

Heidi, London, England - that applies in the UK not the rest of Europe!

- Neil, Malaga, Spain, 10/9/2007 10:01

What people don't seem to see is that this couple, yes they have had to make use of the media to find their daughter - have been under incredible pressure and have put up ths stoneface appearance as their only protection. The problem is the police are breaking their own laws by having an informant to speak to their local press and yet the McCanns have had to put up with this. There only recourse is the family and friends.

- Dave, Plymouth England, 10/9/2007 10:01

The only person that knows the truth is the abductor or killer whoever that may be. Time to stop all these judgements based on theory, maintain the innocent until proven guilty system and in the meantime keep looking for the child.

- Gina, Benissa, Spain, 10/9/2007 10:02

If I was in their shoes, allegedly being threatened and blackmailed, and - most despicable of all - having their twins used against them as a threat, I wouldn't be answering any of the police questions either.

- Val, Macclesfield, 10/9/2007 10:02

The Portugese police do not have any real evidence, just circumstantial, which does not prove anything. They are just clutching at straws, as they are under pressure to get results quickly. I think that I would storm out of interviews considering the amount of stress they are under, we are only human not robots.

- Isabel, Buckinghamshire, 10/9/2007 10:02

Innocent people would want to answer all the questions as quickly as possible, in order for the police to be able to move forward with their investigation.
Justice for Madeleine, the poor forgotten victim in all of this.

- Crystal, Wirral, UK, 10/9/2007 10:03

It is dreadful how Kate and Gerry McGann are being treated. The police seem to have no idea what has happened to Madeline and it is easy to put the blame on someone.

The McGanns will always live with the fact the children should have not been left on their own. That is with hindsight. Their entire life is now set for ruins.

What on earth are the police suggesting the McGanns did with Madeline's body?

- Jennifer Marsh, Goa India, 10/9/2007 10:03

It is very convenient that they had been effectively "gagged" by their arguido status before they left Portugal. I also think it is very funny that just a few weeks ago Joana Ciprano's father warned that Mrs McCann would be framed by the PJ. I think the PJ should have investigated any possible links between Joana's disappearance and that of Madeleine's. I hope they are not fixated on just exploring this avenue of enquiry, which to me does not seem credible.

- M, Bedford, 10/9/2007 10:07

I see nothing wrong in the McCanns using the donated funds to finance their legal fees. Without a good lawyer, they risk being convicted and imprisoned, which would in effect prevent them from looking for Madeleine. This new twist was unforeseen, but it may prove very expensive. What are they supposed to do - make do with a less expensive lawyer and put themselves at the mercy of the Portugeuse, who seem determined to pin Madeleine's disappearance on them?

As for why they refused to answer questions, they were probably outraged, disbelieving and exhausted. How well would any of us stand up to an 11-hour marathon like that?

Natascha Kampusch's mother was accused of her murder at one stage, and Natascha turned up alive some seven years later.

- Helene, France, 10/9/2007 10:09

Let's just hope that Maddy is found soon - the whole situation is now hysterical. Her parents may or may not be guilty of anything, they made a stupid mistake all those months ago, let's just hope that some other parents have become more vigilant of their kids.

- Sz, England, 10/9/2007 10:10

There has never been any smoke without fire.

- Tavie Collins, Hampshire. UK, 10/9/2007 10:11

The reason Kate and Gerry are stonewalling the questions is that the questions are loaded and designed to frame them. The evidence is flimsy in the extreme and the Keystone Kops of Portugal want to wrap this up to avoid further embarrassment.

The behaviour of the Portugese Police illustrates the enormous gulf between their culture and ours and makes a mockery of the European Union.

- Jane, Preston, England, 10/9/2007 10:12

I think its a bluff... they can neither file any cases without corpus delicti nor book them for that is violation of the writ of habeas corpus. I wish these 'gossip' among police forces will just stop cuz it just appears to me that they're making the McCanns their scapegoat which is rubbish.

- Sheryl Dee, Japan, 10/9/2007 10:13

Why do media overshow relatives statements? Were they at the scene? Is this relevant for the investigation? Why do all of them use the same word "ludricous" over the police accusations? Let just the Justice do its job.

- Albert, London, 10/9/2007 10:13

They say they are "Responsadble Parents! What parent would leave three little children on their own just so that they can go out and enjoy themselves?? That is NOT "Responsable Parents" to me!!

- Sandra, S Wales, 10/9/2007 10:17

This absolute farce of a so-called investigation should make us all be very thankful that, for all its faults, the British legal system continues to be the fairest in the world. Under our system, there is no way that the Police could extract confessions in this disgraceful way.

- Peter Hargreaves, Stockport, Cheshire, 10/9/2007 10:23

The vultures are gathering.

- Mike Randall, England, 10/9/2007 10:24

I agree 100% with Roger Kingston, York.

- J Franks, Bexley, 10/9/2007 10:24

Doesn't bear thinking about but this wouldn't be the first time that parents have harmed their babies. Please God that this isn't the case here.

- Sylvia, UK, 10/9/2007 10:26

This is so far fetched it has to be ridiculous.

- Alexandra, New Zealand, 10/9/2007 10:27

Jacqui Smith, Home Secretary, says she is happy with the Portugese police investigation. If she means that, she must be incredibly stupid and/or enjoys the Portugese spin. Oh, of course, she is a Labour Home Secretary - spinning is second nature. The Portugese police investigation is on a par with a third world country or is that too polite?

- Brinley Morgan, Richelieu, France, 10/9/2007 10:30

This is the new Diana story: the only winners are the press.

- Lisa, London, 10/9/2007 10:33

If the hire car has blood stains that do belong to Maddy - who hired the car on the night she disappeared? If no one hired the car, who owned it? What a coincidence that they end up with the same car as that used by the person who snatched Maddy. Was it deliberate on the part of local people who may well know more than they are saying as other local children have vanished beforehand. But can forensics tell how old a stain is? In both cases they are not the first occupiers of their apartment or their hire car.

- Pamela, Redbourn UK, 10/9/2007 10:37

God only knows, but, if it is true that the parents refused to answer forty questions then these are not the responses one would expect from innocent people who seek to find the guilty person.

- Kcarroll, Alaska, 10/9/2007 10:37

I just wonder if it's possible that the McCanns are lying?

- Simon, Dawlish, 10/9/2007 10:38

I suspect that they have returned to the UK in order to protect the twins. If they are charged back in Portugal the twins will need to be left in the care of a family member. It is unthinkable that they should be taken from them by the Portugese authorities. This situation is disgraceful, the McCanns are no more guilty than I am.

- Rose, Co Cork, Ireland, 10/9/2007 10:47

It may be they are guilty, but the circumstances do not lead me to that conclusion.

- Mike Jeanes, Wilmslow, Cheshire, 10/9/2007 10:49