Portuguese police reopen McCann case with "new lines of inquiry"

The public prosecutor’s office has confirmed that Portuguese police have reopened Madeleine McCann’s investigation with new leads.

14:48 25 October 2013

The investigation on the case of (then) 3-year-old Madeleine McCann, who disappeared from Praia da Luz in May 2007, has been reopened due to new elements of evidence, says Portugal’s attorney general.

The case officially went cold in 2008.

The parents of the victim said that they are very pleased with the turn of events. They said: "We hope that this will finally lead to her being found and to the discovery of whoever is responsible for this crime.

“We once again urge any member of the public who may have information relating to Madeleine's abduction to contact the police in Portugal or the UK."

Meanwhile, UK Home Secretary Theresa May said:  "I hope what we are going to see is a resolution of this case for the sake of Maddie's parents and family."

The decision came after Scotland Yard said that Portuguese investigation will not continue unless judges are convinced that there are compelling new evidence to do so. BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said that it appears that this decision is highly significant.