7th May 2014
British cops arrive for Madeleine McCann hunt but officials ban them from searching suspects' homes Team of British detectives arrive in Portugal only to be told they are banned from scouring the homes of main suspectsA team of British police hunting for Madeleine McCann flew into Portugal yesterday – only to be told they are banned from raiding the homes of three suspects they want to quiz.
The team of seven detectives led by Det Chief Insp Andy Redwood, were pictured arriving at Faro Airport.
In a further blow the team have also had their hopes of probing the bank accounts of the trio, who worked at the resort where the child vanished, dashed by Portuguese officials.
Scotland Yard had wanted to see if there were any large payments to the suspects, suggesting they could have been paid to snatch Madeleine from the Praia da Luz resort. But a source close to the investigation said last night: “The Portuguese judge who examines the requests sent by Scotland Yard’s did not consider the arguments to be valid enough to warrant searching the workers’ homes.
“The judge is satisfied correct procedures were followed at the time Madeleine disappeared and there is no need to revisit that area of investigation.” Another source added: “The latest development is a blow to the Met Police.
“The relationship between the two international forces is on tenterhooks.
“Portuguese investigators have warned British detectives they will pull the plug on any joint operations if they do not toe their line.
“They will not be rushed into making decisions just because the Met want to be seen to make progress.”
The Mirror revealed in January how Scotland Yard wanted to raid the homes of the suspects, believed to be behind a string of burglaries at the resort before Madeleine vanished in May 2007.
It is not yet known if the trio will be interviewed by the detectives from Operation Grange – the cold case review into the three-year-old’s kidnap.
This week the Mirror exclusively told how the Met police have been given the green light to dig up land yards from the Ocean Club apartments where Madeleine stayed with her family.
They plan to search wasteland, a road by a church and a nearby beach. But in a further blow to relations the Portuguese authorities, have told the force it will be liable for any costs.
Maddie’s parents Kate, 46, and Gerry, 45, have not flown to Portugal but they are being kept updated.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/madeleine-mccann-search-officers-told-3510602
