The father of Madeleine McCann was this evening still being questioned at the headquarters of the Policia Judiciaria in the Portuguese city of Portimao, on the day his wife was informed that she is now a suspect in the investigation into the disappearance of her daughter.
Kate McCann arrives at police headquarters for questioning this morning.
Kate McCann has since left the police station after intensive questioning by police over the last two days. Yesterday she was quizzed for almost 11 hours, before returning for approximately six hours today.
The couple's lawyer, Carlos Pinto de Abreu, has advised Mrs McCann there is "a possibility" she may be charged in connection with the disappearance of four-year-old Madeleine, who went missing from the family's apartment in the Algarve village of Praia da Luz on May 3rd.
Before attending the police station, Gerry McCann insisted any suggestion his wife was involved in their daughter's disappearance was "ludicrous".
Writing on the www.findmadeleine.comwebsite, Mr McCann said: "Anyone who knows anything about the 3rd May knows that Kate is completely innocent."
Mr McCann added that the family will "fight this all the way, and we will not stop looking for Madeleine".
Mrs McCann was asked to go to the police station after authorities received forensic evidence recovered from the holiday apartment in the Algarve where Madeleine vanished. Local newspapers have reported that the evidence included a sample of a speck of blood found on the wall of the McCann's apartment.
Detectives also suggested to Mrs McCann yesterday that traces of her daughter's blood had been found in a Renault Scenic the family hired 25 days after Madeleine disappeared.
Gerry McCann arrives at police headquarters in Portimao today. PA
Mrs McCann (39) told the officers there was "no way" this could be the case, according to a friend. The GP has only been formally interviewed by police once before - on May 4th, the day after Madeleine went missing. It is now 127 days since Madeleine was last seen.
Under Portuguese law, a suspect, or 'arguido', has legal protection that is not extended to a witness, including the right to remain silent during questioning and the right to legal representation. It is not uncommon for people caught up in criminal investigations in Portugal to declare themselves arguidos to receive this protection.
Once someone is an arguido they can be arrested - but only if there is sufficient evidence.
So far the only formal suspect in the McCann case is British expatriate Robert Murat (33). He was named under Portuguese law as having arguido status on May 15th, but he was not charged or even formally arrested.
Becoming a suspect can also limit freedom of movement and force the suspect to be in regular contact with police. Mr Murat had to report to police every five days and could not leave the country.