Sat, Sep 08, 2007 - Page 6 News List

Portuguese police say missing girl's mom a suspect

AP , VIANA DO CASTELO, PORTUGAL

The mother of a missing British girl arrived at a police station in Portugal for a second day of questioning yesterday, and a family spokesman said she would be formally named as a suspect.

Kate McCann was questioned for almost 11 hours on Thursday at a police station in Portimao, a town in the Algarve region.

When asked about reports that McCann would be named a suspect in her daughter Madeleine's disappearance, family spokesman David Hughes said.

"They told her last night that it would happen to her today. That's definite," he said.

Hughes said the police have 22 questions that they want to ask Kate McCann, which require her to be made a formal suspect.

Under Portuguese law, the legal move grants certain protections to suspects, but allows police more latitude in questioning. Police also have to show suspects whatever evidence they might have against them.

Madeleine's father, Gerry McCann, was also expected to meet with police in Portimao, later in the afternoon and a friend of the family, Clarence Mitchell, said that he too would be named as a formal suspect.

The couple has maintained their innocence throughout.

The police summoned Kate McCann after receiving new forensic evidence.

Police spokesman Olegario Sousa said authorities have received some results from forensic tests of the apartment, but declined to elaborate on the findings.

The tests -- on specks of blood, items of clothing and other objects in the apartment -- were conducted at a British laboratory.

Kate and Gerry McCann, both doctors, have spearheaded an intense media campaign since four-year-old Madeleine went missing from a holiday apartment in the Algarve where she was sleeping with her two-year-old twin siblings. The parents say they were at dinner at the time at a nearby restaurant, but were checking on the children frequently.

Kate McCann left the police station around 1am yesterday morning, looking gaunt and tired.

Police, who are barred by law from discussing ongoing investigations, made no comment.

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