28/11/2007

Portuguese And UK Police In Face-To-Face Discussions

The investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann from her holiday apartment in Portugal earlier this year is to be reviewed shortly when police officers from the holiday resort and from the UK meet to discuss the case.

They are expected to include DNA samples examined in the investigation in this latest round of discussions.

A spokesman for the missing girl's parents confirmed that a meeting is due to take place in Leicestershire.

However, there are no new plans to interview the McCanns, the spokesman said, adding that the move is "not significant".

The samples studied by the Forensic Science Service in Birmingham relate to materials taken from the car hired by the McCanns after the disappearance.

Family spokesman Clarence Mitchell said while agonised parents, Gerry and Kate McCann had been informed of the planned meeting, they did not see it as a major step in the probe into the girl's disappearance in the Algarve on 3 May.

A spokeswoman for Leicestershire Constabulary said the meeting, which will involve scientists, is not in response to any specific developments.

"It was felt that it was difficult to do everything on the phone.

"The time was right for them to sit down face-to-face," the spokeswoman said.

(BMcC)

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