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The parents of Madeleine McCann say they will not return to Portugal unless
requested to do so by the police.
A spokeswoman for the family confirmed that no request has come from the
Portuguese authorities.
She said the couple will stay at the family home in Rothley, Leicestershire with
their young twins, Sean and Amelie, until told otherwise.
It is over a week since Gerry and Kate McCann were named as suspects in the
disapperance of their daughter.
Sky News crime correspondent Martin Brunt described the next few days as
"crucial" in the investigation, as a Portuguese judge reviews the police's case
files.
Speaking from Praia da Luz, he said a judgement is expected by Thursday, with
Kate McCann the more likely to be called back for questioning, though no such
request has been made.
The family's announcement follows the news the couple have taken a series of
meetings with lawyers, Michael Caplan QC and Angus McBride, of the London legal
firm Kingsley Napley.
A spokeswoman for the couple said: "What they are really trying to do is to take
stock of their situation and prepare for next week."
Sky News reporter David Crabtree said the couple were seeking "all information
and detail, should the investigation go in any direction".
The McCanns called for "a period of calm", but thanked the public for its
continuing support.
The family receive between 500 and 1000 letters of support around the country
every day.
The couple's mail includes a quota of prank letters, but these were negligible,
the spokeswoman said.
Asked about the various media reports about their case, she added: "They are
disturbed by the level of speculation. They are not avoiding newspapers.
"They seem to be bearing up. The pressure on the family is so intense. I think
they are all feeling it now."
The couple left Portugal after they were named by police as suspects in the
disappearance of their first born Madeleine.
Martin Brunt dismissed British weekend media reports that the body of Madeleine
may have been disposed at sea as "nothing more than speculation." |
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