Madeleine's mother to be declared suspect

Lisbon: The mother of missing British four-year-old Madeleine McCann will be formally declared a suspect on Friday, a spokeswoman for the family said.

The shift in investigation came after authorities received forensic evidence recovered from the holiday apartment in the Algarve where Madeleine vanished on May 3.

"She will be formally declared a suspect," said Justine McGuinness, a spokeswoman for the McCanns.

Kat McCann was questioned by police for about 11 hours at a police station in the Algarve on Thursday. Her husband, Gerry, is expected to be questioned on Friday.

The McCann family spokesman told Sky News: "She is shocked and surprised in several ways. First of all that such an accusation could be made against her."

"And obviously she is concerned that such a line of investigation can become a distraction from further attempts to find Madeleine."

Madeleine's parents have campaigned relentlessly to draw attention to the case.