Madeleine suspect accused of lying in confrontation with family friends

The chief suspect in the Madeleine McCann missing enquiry has been accused of lying by a friend of her parents.

The key witness, it is claimed, shouted at Robert Murat in a face-to-face confrontation set up by Portuguese police.

Pointing an accusing finger, the woman shouted: "I know you were there. I would recognise you anywhere."

The meeting was arranged after members of Kate and Gerry McCanns' holiday party expressed doubts over the ex-pat's alibi.

As part of the process in Portugal, witnesses can challenge a suspect when there is doubt in the statements.

The friends claim they saw Murat, 33, on the night of 3 May when the four-year-old was snatched from her bed in the family's holiday apartment in Praia de Luz, Portugal.

The three key witnesses in the case are certain they recognise the suspect because of his distinctive lazy right eye caused by a detached retina.

One claims to have spotted Murat peeking into the McCann's apartment that night - which could destroy his alibi for the 3 May.

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Murat insists he was dining with his mother before going to bed early.

Earlier this month doctors Russell O'Brien and Fiona Payne, along with another friend, Rachael Oldfield, flew to Portugal to be questioned.

They were among a group of nine adults in the McCanns' party staying at the Ocean Club resort. They were having dinner at a restaurant 50 yards away from the family's apartment when Madeleine was snatched.

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The tirade against Murat began after a friend of the McCann's was left alone with him in an interview room at Portimao police headquarters, according to reports.

Portuguese detectives watched the exchange through a two-way mirror.

One of the women pointed her finger at the suspect and made the accusation.

Murat, it is reported, was badly shaken following the incident.

His spokeperson, Tuck Price, says: "Robert found it traumatic. He could not understand how these people could sit there and accuse him of lying.

"It all seemed to revolve around them recognising his dodgy eye.

"It was dark. How could they have seen? Besides that, he was not there anyway."

On the night of 3 May, Madeleine's mother Kate, raised the alarm at 10pm after discovering her daughter was missing.

In a leaked police report, Dr Payne and Mrs Oldfield claim they saw Murat at the Ocean Club resort at around 11.45pm.

Murat was spotted again - this time at 1am by Dr O'Brien.

The sightings are said to have been confirmed by an employee at the resort.

Dr O'Brien's partner, Jane Tanner, is reported to be the witness who told police she saw a man rushing away from the resort carrying a small child wrapped in a blanket at around 9.30pm.

Murat insists he is innocent and says he had no idea a child had been taken until the following day.