|
The friends of
the McCanns who allegedly want to alter their accounts
of the night
Madeleine vanished were named yesterday.
Newspaper 24 Horas said Dr Russell O'Brien and his
partner Jane Tanner had contacted police to "correct"
their statements.
Detectives leading the six month probe into the missing
four-year-old said the move could lead to a major
breakthrough.
A source was quoted as saying: "The investigation could
be changed dramatically if the two witnesses decide to
clarify what happened."
The paper said that Dr O'Brien, 36, and Ms Tanner, 37 -
part of the socalled Tapas Nine - asked to be seen
anonymously for fear of pressure by Kate and Gerry
McCann's supporters.
Ms Tanner commented: "I'm sorry, I don't want to say
anything."
But 24 Horas claimed the couple, from
Exeter, Devon, want to change key parts of their statements -
which could include Ms Tanner saying she saw a man
carrying a child from the Ocean Club on May 3.
The paper said police were now certain she had not left
the poolside restaurant during dinner.
Detectives have also queried Dr O'Brien's statement,
including why he was absent from the meal for up to 45
minutes.
Other alleged "inconsistencies" include how much wine
they had and childcare arrangements.
Kate and Gerry's spokesman Clarence Mitchell furiously
denied Dr O'Brien and Ms Tanner had contacted the
police.
He said: "They are categorically not the couple. There
is no couple." |
