It was a disappearance that made international headlines and raised tensions between Britain and Portugal. Now comes the story of the new police investigation that some hope might finally explain what really happened to three year old Madeleine. Did she wander off? Was she stolen and if she was taken was it by an organised child trafficking ring?
Five years ago Madeleine McCann disappeared from a family holiday apartment in the Algarve, Portugal. This little girl, who would now be eight, has never been found. Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, are adamant that their daughter was abducted. Portuguese police viewed the parents with suspicion. At the same time British crime experts claim the Portuguese police investigation was compromised by their failure to secure the crime scene and a lack of follow through in tracking down witnesses and suspects.
Early last year Madeleine's parents persuaded British Prime Minister David Cameron to order a review of the case. This new investigation, by a top unit of the Metropolitan Police, has combed through thousands of documents and cost British taxpayers millions of dollars. Is it now the last chance of discovering what happened? For the first time, the senior UK investigator tells BBC Panorama how he is working collaboratively with Portuguese police and explains why he believes he has the best opportunity yet to help solve the mystery of Madeleine McCann.
Meanwhile, the reopening of this sensational cold case has raised new questions. Why did David Cameron order the investigation? What role did News International have in his decision and are the Portuguese police really co-operating with their British counterparts? |
