Scotland Yard list of Madeleine suspects offers McCanns hope

London: The parents of Madeleine McCann welcomed news on Friday night that Scotland Yard had identified a number of suspects who might be responsible for their daughter’s abduction.

Detectives have produced a list of people they say are of “interest to the inquiry” and should be questioned.

Detective Chief Superintendent Hamish Campbell, the head of Scotland Yard’s Homicide and Serious Crime Command, said the Portuguese authorities should now reopen the investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance six years ago. He said the case review, named Operation Grange, had identified “both investigative and forensic opportunities” and said the people of interest could be explored further, if only to be eliminated.

Gerry and Kate McCann expressed their gratitude to the British police and said they were encouraged by the developments. Clarence Mitchell, their spokesman, said: “Kate and Gerry remain very, very pleased with the work that Scotland Yard are doing and have been encouraged by Operation Grange from the day it began. Beyond that, they simply will not comment on what are police operational matters.” Madeleine, who was six at the time, went missing from her family’s holiday apartment in Praia da Luz on the Algarve on May 3, 2007. Her disappearance became the subject of intense international publicity, but no sign of her was ever found and Portuguese police shelved their investigation amid much criticism in 2008.

In 2011, following a campaign by the McCann family, David Cameron ordered a review of the case by Scotland Yard. A team of 30 officers re-examined thousands of pieces of evidence to establish new lines of inquiry. Det Chief Supt Campbell praised the progress made by the team and said it had done a “fantastic” job identifying further investigative and forensic opportunities.

He said it was “perfectly probable” that information that could identify Madeleine’s kidnapper was already within the Portuguese files. He added: “The purpose of the review was to look at the case with fresh eyes and there is always real benefit in doing so. The Portuguese hopefully will pursue some of these investigative opportunities with our assistance.”

Earlier this month, the McCanns said they were encouraged after three women who had been missing for a decade were found alive in Cleveland, Ohio. The couple said: “Their recovery is also further evidence that children are sometimes abducted and kept for long periods. So we ask the public to remain vigilant in the ongoing search for Madeleine.” A spokesman for the Policia Judiciaria refused last night to comment on the development.