Portuguese detectives investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann yesterday told her mother that she was now formally suspected of involvement in her daughter's death, and apparently offered her a deal if she confessed to accidentally killing the four-year-old, write Giles Tremlettand Brendan de Beerin Praia da Luz
Kate McCann, 39, was questioned over forensic evidence which might suggest that Madeleine died in the family's apartment at the holiday complex in Praia da Luz, rather than being snatched from her bed while her parents were eating dinner as the couple have always insisted.
Ms McCann's sister-in-law, Philomena McCann, told RTÉ Radio yesterday that she had spoken to Madeleine's father, Gerry, at lunchtime yesterday. She said he told her police tried get the missing child's mother to make a statement saying she had accidentally killed her daughter.
"[ They're] trying to suggest that they secreted her away somewhere . . . They tried to get her to make a statement suggesting that she had accidentally killed Madeleine. That's what was put to her through her lawyer," Philomena McCann said.
"And you know that they would kind of make a plea bargain with her, so she might serve two years in jail, that kind of thing - look, just say that it was an accident."
The family's spokesman, Justine McGuinness, said Kate McCann was also asked about traces of blood found in a car hired by the couple four weeks after Madeleine's disappearance on May 3rd, and about DNA evidence allegedly found on clothing.
"They believe they have evidence to show that in some way she is involved in the death of her daughter, which is completely ludicrous," Ms McGuinness said.
The line detectives were following was that it was Ms McCann who was primarily responsible for the child's death, she added. Her husband, Gerry, was questioned separately after she was released without charge.
Friends and family expressed shock and disbelief at the claims. Gerry McCann's sister, Philomena, said: "They are suggesting that Kate has in some way accidentally killed Madeleine, then kept her body, then got rid of it. I have never heard anything so utterly ludicrous in my entire life."
Claims of a "deal" could not be confirmed last night with Portuguese police or the McCanns' representatives.
Kate McCann was designated an arguida, or suspect, after being questioned for a second successive day at the police headquarters in Portimao, close to the resort where they had been on holiday when Madeleine disappeared.
Ms McGuinness said Kate McCann had dismissed the allegations as absurd but feared police might move on to actually charge her.