UK force 'still hunting Madeleine'

Gerry and Kate McCann's home force, Leicestershire Police, was appointed as the main liaison point for Portugal Policia Judiciaria (PJ) shortly after the four-year-old's disappearance in May.

The force immediately dispatched family liaison officers to Portugal to assist the McCanns and was instrumental in bringing British expertise in areas such as DNA and specialist sniffer dogs into the case.

But, more than four months on, it was reported on Tuesday that there are doubts about the force's continued involvement and question marks over the direction of the case.

The Evening Standard said Leicestershire's role was now "hanging by a thread" and that British officers now believe the McCanns will not be charged with involvement in Madeleine's disappearance.

The claim comes a week after the Portuguese lead prosecutor in the case told the PJ that there was not enough evidence to call the McCanns, who are being treated as suspects, for new interviews.

One of Portugal's most senior prosecutors, Antonio Cluny, president of the country's public prosecutors' service, is now also said to have warned police that it would be virtually impossible to bring any prosecutions unless they find Madeleine's body.

But a spokeswoman for Leicestershire Police said on Tuesday that the force was continuing to work under the direction of the PJ.

"It is still a Portuguese investigation, we are working under their direction and have been from day one, and will continue to do so as long as they require it," she said.

But asked specifically about the suggestion the force's involvement could be coming to an end she refused to comment. "All I am saying is that we are working under the direction of the Portuguese police, I am not confirming or denying anything," she said.