DNA Evidence 'Can Be Explained'
Updated: 09:41, Wednesday September 19, 2007

A source close to the parents of Madeleine McCann has been outlining how they will hit back at claims that the couple were involved in the disappearance of their daughter.

Kate and Gerry McCann have been named as suspects in the inquiry.

But a source close to the family insisted much of the police evidence - including the collection of Madeleine's DNA from the family's hire car in Praia da Luz - can be easily explained.

The car was used to transport much of the youngster's items when the family moved to a new apartment some time after her disappearance in Praia da Luz on May 3.

Items said to have been carried in the vehicle include nappies worn by Madeleine's twin brother and sister Sean and Amelia, who have similar DNA.

Madeleine's own sandals are also believed to have been transported in the car - potentially allowing DNA from her sweat to be transferred.


The vehicle had also been used by a number of people, including several family members, before it was examined.

Sky News crime correspondent Martin Brunt said up to 30 people are believed to have had access to the Renault in the 10 weeks after the car was hired.

Commenting on reports that Madeleine's bodily fluids had been found in the car, he said it was quite possible one of the twins might have urinated in the car.

"Their DNA would be very similar to Madeleine's," he said. "It all creates a very confusing forensic picture."

Sky News Europe correspondent Greg Milam, in Portugal, said Portuguese police "will be unhappy the McCanns or people close to them are talking about the evidence, but they have got to say something about the allegations here".

The couple, both 39, returned to their home in Rothley, Leicestershire, last week after spending four months in Portugal awaiting developments.

Madeleine's Parents 'Utterly Innocent'
Updated: 17:13, Tuesday September 18, 2007

Madeleine McCann's parents are "utterly" innocent and the focus of the police investigation must return to the hunt to find her, the family spokesman has declared.

Clarence Mitchell, who quit his Civil Service job to help Gerry and Kate McCann, said "rampant" speculation about possible charges against the couple had to end.

Both parents, who stood beside Mr Mitchell, have been questioned by Portuguese police over Madeleine's alleged death, sparking "intense media attention".

Mr Mitchell insisted: "The focus must now move away from the rampant, unfounded and inaccurate speculation of recent days, to return to the child at the very centre of this, Madeleine."

Urging people to keep looking for the girl, he added that suggestions the couple somehow harmed Madeleine accidentally or otherwise "was as ludicrous as it is nonsensical".

The statement comes as the tide of suspicion against the parents appears to be turning.


Sky News Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt said Portuguese newspapers had been speculating that police in the country may have "gone out on a limb" by accusing the couple.

A judge in the town has also refused to order Mrs McCann to return to Portugal for questioning.

The Portuguese press had said Madeleine's mother could be called back to the country in the next few days.

But the judge in the case, Pedro Daniel dos Anjos Frias, has now rejected the prosecutors' request, according to the Correio Da Manha newspaper.

Instead, the couple may be interviewed again this week by British police acting on behalf of the Portuguese authorities.

It is now 138 days since Madeleine went missing from her family's holiday apartment in the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz.

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