Madeleine 'may never be found'

Madeleine's parents are "not suspects" say Portuguese police

Police in Portugal still have doubts over how Madeleine McCann disappeared and whether she will ever be found, an official spokesman has admitted.

Chief Inspector Olegario Sousa told The Portugal News English language paper police were "still trying to establish what happened" to the four-year-old.

He added it was possible she may never be found but also said he was confident the case would eventually be solved.

Madeleine, of Rothley, Leicestershire, disappeared in the Algarve on 3 May.

Confidence

The comments from an official source at the heart of the investigation come amid a storm of conflicting reports from unnamed sources in the British press.

Ch Insp Sousa said that nearly four months after Madeleine went missing from her hotel room in Praia da Luz, the circumstances of her disappearance were still unclear.

He said: "We are still trying to establish what happened to Madeleine. We still have some doubts as to what really happened.

"It is possible that we may never find Madeleine. First we will have to find sufficient evidence to indicate that she is no longer alive. This will have to be followed up by finding her body."

There's no doubt, these leaks do complicate my job Chief Inspector Olegario Sousa

Despite the uncertainty, he said there was growing confidence among Portuguese police that they would eventually solve the case.

He said "We have had our ups and downs. We often call in analysts to have another look at the evidence and who will look at contradictions."

But Ch Insp Sousa also reaffirmed the investigation had "never stopped".

He said: "I am confident that the case will be solved."

McCanns 'innocent'

Ch Insp Sousa also emphasised his conviction that press allegations levelled against Madeleine's parents, Gerry and Kate McCann, were unfounded.

He said: "Up until now, they are not suspects. If we have any suspicions we are compelled by law to charge them in order to preserve their rights."

Concerning the speculation in the British media, he said: "It is difficult to establish who these 'leaks' are or where they are coming from. Information is probably not leaked on purpose.

"I believe sometimes things are said at an informal lunch after which a friend tells a friend who knows a journalist.

"But there's no doubt, these leaks do complicate my job."