One of the first reports was that of 'George Burke' who saw a couple with a child who looked like Madeleine near Lagos marina. It was in all the British newspapers on 5th May.
http://www.gerrymccannsblogs.co.uk/Nigel/id399.htmIt is also mentioned in a statement aimed at the UK, not the Portuguese, police. The statement has a date of 4th May, and it's headed 'Information from the family'. How were the McCann family able to give this information to Leicestershire police about Burke/Brooks's sighting on 4th? Why was this said; 'The police have not yet spoken to this male'?
http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/GEORGE_BURKE_BROOKS.htmIt's not clear whether this man ever contacted the PJ.
His sighting hits the headlines again in November 2007, following which the PJ do get involved and go looking for him. They're told his whereabouts are unknown since he took off on 21st September.
http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/GEORGE_BURKE_BROOKS.htmIt hit the news again in August 2008 saying the PJ never contacted him, but they did, in April 2008 after receiving Michael Wright's rog statement.
Where George disappeared to in September 2007 I don't know, but he was supposed to be resident in Burgau in May 2007. He still has relatives living there who put the PJ into contact with him in April 2008.
http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/GEORGE_BURKE_BROOKS.htm