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Madeleine went missing in
May 2007. Photo: Family
Handout |
As much as people may wish it to
lead somewhere, the meeting between
British and Portuguese detectives is
a routine part of the investigation
to establish what happened to
Madeleine McCann.
In recent months, with both
countries working on their own
inquiries they have started to
liaise much more over the detail of
their work.
This is partly because new teams -
without any of the historic
antagonism - are now in place, but
also due to Portuguese law.
The British can't just get on a
flight and start interviewing or
arresting suspects. Any police work
has to be done by the Portuguese and
for that to happen an International
Letter of Request must be sent from
the UK.
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Police from the UK are
visiting Portugal to
discuss the Madeleine
case. Credit: Family
Handout |
Many such letters have been sent
and will be sent as part of
Operation Grange, the
Metropolitan Police's
investigation. The last arrived
a few days ago.
This meeting is a chance for
officers from both countries to
go through the detail.
Speaking to sources in Portugal
and also the UK, it seems clear
there is no plan to start making
arrests imminently, if at all.
This will be a long and slow
process.
After so many years no one in
the McCann family is getting
overly optimistic. There have
been too many moments which
apparently offered far more than
this routine meeting.
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No one in the McCann
family is getting
overly optimistic at
the latest
developments.
Credit: John
Stillwell/PA Archive |
Their policy remains they
will continue their quest to
find their daughter and
welcome the work of those
joining in that search.
