http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/madeleine-mccann-kate-gerry-mccann-2592011Note: My emboldening
Madeleine McCann: Kate and Gerry McCann told they are no longer suspects by Portuguese police 26 Oct 2013 00:00
The couple were told in a police briefing last week in Lisbon where they were also updated on new leads
Parents: Kate and Gerry McCann
Getty
Kate and Gerry McCann have been told for the first time by the Portuguese authorities that they are no longer suspects in their daughter Madeleine’s disappearance.
The couple were told in a police briefing last week in Lisbon where they were also updated on the new leads that have been unearthed.
Their Portuguese lawyer Rogerio Alves said yesterday: “The McCanns were already informed about the reopening of the inquiry and the reasons why it was being reopened.
“They also know that this new line of inquiry excludes any responsibility of the parents.
“The Portuguese police told them this at a meeting in Lisbon last week at which British police were also present.
"What it means is that the police understand there are new avenues that should be explored.
“This brings Madeleine’s parents a legitimate expectation not only that the truth will be discovered but also that it will be possible to find Madeleine alive which is the sole aim of all the efforts they’ve been making.” Portugal’s current Attorney General, Joana Marques Vidal, is the first woman ever appointed to the post.
She took over as the country’s top legal advisor in October 2012 from predecessor Fernando Pinto Monteiro after his six-year mandate came to an end.
It was still unclear last night which police force would be appointed to lead the reopened inquiry. Initial reports suggested it would be a team of Algarve-based Policia Judiciaria detectives but yesterday it appeared more likely the review team from Porto would be asked to do the job.
The detectives will work under the direction of public prosecutors based in the Algarve resort of Portimao.
Jose Magalhaes e Menezes, the public prosecutor in charge of the original investigation, is expected to oversee the reopened inquiry.
He was damning of the original probe pointing the finger at Madeleine’s parents and claimed officers under disgraced Goncalo Amaral achieved “very little” during their 15 month investigation.
He also thwarted attempts by Mr Amaral to charge the McCanns with child abandonment, leading to a souring in relations between police and prosecutors.Mr Amaral went on to write a controversial book called ‘The Truth of the Lie’ which the McCanns are currently suing him over at an ongoing civil trial in a Lisbon court.
It also emerged last night Madeleine’s parents are set to apply to become private prosecutors - “assistentes” under Portuguese law - in the reopened criminal inquiry.
It will mean their legal team can work alongside state prosecutors so they are kept informed of all new developments and conduct their own private prosecution - running parallel to the state prosecution - against any future suspects charged over Madeleine’s disappearance.
It marks a remarkable turn-around in a case in which they were once 'arguidos' - suspects.
Their status as ‘assistentes’ would be crucial because of the secrecy order slapped on the case by Portugal’s Attorney General.
They wouldn’t have access to all case files at present because of the secrecy order as ‘assistentes’ - but would once the secrecy order is lifted.
Mr Alves said yesterday: “I will be applying for the McCanns to become assistentes in this case but don’t know yet when.“Madeleine is the victim as well as her parents who are also her legal representatives."
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