By Sheila Mckenzie-
Madeleine McCann’s parents have welcomed the news that a German man has been formally made a suspect over the three-year-old’s disappearance.
Kate and Gerry McCann said the news reflected progress in the investigation, adding that they still hoped to be reunited with Madeleine, who went missing in 2007 in the Portuguese resort of Prai De Luz.
The chances of the two parents being reunited with Madelaine- the young girl about which many fake sightings has been made over the years- are very slim.
Their expression of hope follows the news that Portuguese prosecutors made Christian Brueckner an “arguido” on Thursday, but did not formally reveal his name.
The formality of making Brurckner a suspect is believed to be associated with the fact that on 3rd May, it will be 15 years since Madeleine was reported missing, and under Portuguese law it would no longer be possible to declare someone a person of interest beyond this date.
Declaring someone a person of interest is a necessary precursor to any criminal charges against a suspect in Portuguese law.
In a statement signed “Kate & Gerry”, the couple also said they hold out hope Madeleine is still alive despite German police treating the case as a murder investigation.
Christian B is suspected of killing Madeleine, who was three at the time of her disappearance, after allegedly abducting her from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in May 2007.
Kate and Gerry McCann’s statement reads: “We welcome the news that the Portuguese authorities have declared a German man an ‘arguido’ in relation to the disappearance of our beloved daughter Madeleine.
“This reflects progress in the investigation, being conducted by the Portuguese, German and British authorities. We are kept informed of developments by the Metropolitan Police.
“It is important to note the ‘arguido’ has not yet been charged with any specific crime related to Madeleine’s disappearance.
“Even though the possibility may be slim, we have not given up hope that Madeleine is still alive and we will be reunited with her.”
Brueckner has not been charged and denies any involvement in the case, despite rumours that he admitted to a cell mate that he snatched the young child.
Investigators believe she was abducted from the apartment where the family were staying in the Algarve resort.
McCann wrote: “We welcome the news that the Portuguese authorities have declared a German man an ‘arguido’ in relation to the disappearance of our beloved daughter Madeleine.
“This reflects progress in the investigation, being conducted by the Portuguese, German and British authorities.
“It is important to note the ‘arguido’ has not yet been charged with any specific crime related to Madeleine’s disappearance.
“Even though the possibility may be slim, we have not given up hope that Madeleine is still alive and we will be reunited with her.”.
Bruckener is serving a prison sentence for drug offences in Germany, and was also given a seven-year term for raping a 72-year-old woman.
On Thursday, a statement was issued by prosecutors in Faro, Algarve’s main city, who said a person was made an “arguido” – which translates as “named suspect”, “formal suspect” or “person of interest” – a day earlier.
On 3 May it will be 15 years since Madeleine was reported missing and under Portuguese law it would no longer be possible to declare someone a person of interest beyond this date. Declaring someone a person of interest is a necessary step to any criminal charges.
In its statement, though, Portugal’s office of public prosecutions said the move was not driven by timing, but by “strong indications” of the practice of a crime.
The Metropolitan Police continue to treat Madeleine’s disappearance as a missing persons inquiry.
However, the McCanns are still locked in a 13 year legal battle with Portuguese police officer, Goncola Amoral, who wrote a book accusing the couple of killing their young daughter. The McCanns won a their original libel case against the police officer, winning over £400,000 in compensation in April 2015. Their temporary joy was quickly turned to disappointment when the ruling was overturned a year later in April 2016.
The McCans eventually appealed the disappointing ruling in the Supreme Court in January, but it was dismissed altogether. A further appeal to the ruling is now with the European Courts Of Human Rights.
Jim Gamble, a former police officer who led a 2010 review of the case commissioned by the Home Office, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme the case against Brueckner was strong and the “confidence of the German police” should not be underestimated.
He said: “This seems like a really strong case and that’s why I don’t think it is a procedural tick in a box to make sure they don’t miss out because of the statute of limitations.”
The child protection expert claimed a phone attributed to the convicted rapist placed him in the area within a 30-minute window. He also said Brueckner had burgled holiday homes in the area and had children’s clothes in his camper van.
He continued: “I think the circumstantial evidence that I know exists is extremely strong… I wouldn’t be surprised if charges follow.”
Brueckner denies any involvement in Madeleine’s disappearance, and claims he is simply being put in the frame.