PORTUGUESE detectives tasked with helping Scotland Yard solve the Madeleine McCann mystery have spent the past five months waiting for leads to pursue from their British counterparts.

A small team of highly experienced officers at Faro on the Algarve want to resume investigations on the case but have been left frustrated by having nothing to do.

Three senior detectives in Faro are poised to act on any Yard requests but have been left virtually twiddling their thumbs for at least five months, so have started doing other work.

When the Metropolitan Police launched Operation Grange in 2011, senior officers spent months rebuilding strained relations with their counterparts in Portugal.

The Yard has to send a so-called rogatory letter requesting Portuguese officers to make inquiries on their behalf.

These requests go to a Portuguese prosecuting official who decides whether they are valid or not.

In the past British detectives have been present in interview rooms in Faro when suspects and witnesses have been interviewed.

A well-placed source in Faro said: “The last rogatory letter came through at the end of last year and officers gave it their full and prompt attention. Since then it has been very quiet. The detectives in Faro are enthusiastic to pursue any useful leads but there has been nothing for them to do for months and months.

“Years ago there were problems with the British and Portuguese police but Scotland Yard has smoothed over those issues and there is a good working relationship. The officers in Faro will give priority to requests from Operation Grange.

“They realise the Yard’s investigation is slowing down
 but they want to make it absolutely clear they will
 help in any way they can as long as the prosecutor approves any further requests.” 

Scotland Yard has declined to comment. 

Madeleine McCann would be 13 on Thursday. 

She disappeared from a holiday apartment in the Algarve resort town of Praia da Luz on May 3, 2007, nine years ago last week.

Her parents, doctors Kate and Gerry McCann, said prayers for her at their home town of Rothley, Leicestershire, to mark the date.

Surrounded by supportive villagers, Gerry, 47, said: “Even after nine years, and we desperately don’t want another one, we have this incredible support and it means so much to us. It makes us stronger and helps us get through it.”

Kate, 48, read a poem by Emily Dickinson, saying: “Hope is the thing with feathers, that perches on the soul. And sings the tune without words. And never stops – at all.”

Candles were lit for Madeleine by children in the village.

The couple have also posted a message on their Find Madeleine website saying: “As yet another anniversary comes around, we’d like to thank all our supporters for your continued help and commitment in the search for Madeleine, and the hope for her safe return.

“It has been a very long time but the investigation continues, information is still forthcoming and our hope and resolve continue. Until we have answers, until there is news, there will always be hope and we will continue to do everything we can to help find Madeleine.

“The charity Missing People is releasing the single I Hope on May 20 ahead of International Missing Children’s Day. Please support the charity to help all missing children and their families by downloading the song.”