Hunt for Madeleine McCann could be over THIS WEEK: £12m probe may CLOSE after funding blow' Funding for the Metropolitan Police’s Operation Grange is due to run out on Saturday.By Jerry Lawton
Published 25 Sep 2017
Officers have applied to the Home Office for an extra £90,000 to keep the investigation going for another six months.
Policing minister Nick Hurd was expected to sign it off but Home Secretary Amber Rudd has reportedly got involved and no decision has yet been taken.
If the Met’s bid is rejected it is likely the four-strong team of detectives still working on the case will be wound down.
COULD END: The probe into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann could be shelved this week
Could these clues hold the answer to the mystery of Maddie's disappearance?
There have been a number of theories and potential sightings of Maddie all over the world. Could these clues hold the clue to one of the greatest mysteries of modern times?
There were 8 potential sightings of Maddie in Morocco. It's possible she could have been trafficked there Police investigated a sighting of Maddie at this petrol station near Lagos, Portugal, shortly after Maddie went missing
Investigative journalist Danny Collins said that Maddie must have left the flat as it would have been impossible to gain entry Jane Tanner said she saw someone carrying a child in Praia da Luz shortly after she went missing. This was proven to be a British holidaymaker and their child Police wanted to speak to this man who was seen in the Praia da Luz area when Maddie went missing A shopkeeper said a little girl called Maddie had said to her that she had been taken from her mother on holiday Investigative journalist Danny Collins also suggested Maddie may have been kidnapped by gypsies
“If the Home Office doesn’t come through with the extra funds, it would be a blow”
Scotland Yard could pay the sum from its own budget, but the force has suffered severe cutbacks.
Police union officials have called for the McCann inquiry to be axed and funds redirected to protect London from crime and terrorism.
If the probe is halted it would be a bitter blow to Madeleine’s doctor parents Kate and Gerry, from Rothley, Leics.
Sources say they would dip into a fund set up shortly after their daughter vanished in Portugal in 2007 to pay private detectives to carry on looking for her.
PROBE HOPE: It could be a bitter blow for parents Kate and Gerry
But that cash pot – funded by public donations and the proceeds from Kate’s book about the case – has dwindled.
The couple also still have to pay Portuguese detective Goncalo Amaral’s legal costs after their bid to sue him for £1m in libel damages failed.
A source said: “If the Home Office doesn’t come through with the extra funds, it would be a blow.
“The police obviously believe there are still active leads to be followed up and progress to be made.
“It would be extremely frustrating if funding was to dry up without the inquiry being allowed to reach a conclusion.”
A Home Office spokesman said recently: “The Metropolitan Police has made a further application for funding which will be considered.
“They have needed to justify what the money would be spent on.
“The Home Office has provided funding for Operation Grange and the resources required are reviewed regularly with careful consideration given before any new funding is allocated.”
The last cash injection came in April, with £85,000 to keep the current team working until the end of this month.
A Met Police spokesman said: “The inquiry has not reached a conclusion and we’re continuing with focus and determination.”
An announcement from the Home Office is expected this week. '
www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/647381/madeleine-mccann-search-missing-girl-portugal-police-hunt-end/amp?espv=1Mmm.