'Murat will be cleared soon'
The lawyer for Robert Murat, the first suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, expects him to be cleared - he has said.
There has been speculation that the Portuguese authorities could conclude their inquiry into the case of the missing British child as early as tomorrow, eight months after she vanished from the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz.
Francisco Pagarete said last night he did not know if the case would end tomorrow, or January 14 - eight months after Mr Murat was named the first "arguido", or official suspect, in the case - or if there might be an extension of some months, as reports have suggested.
Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry, are also arguidos.
Mr Pagarete said: "My feeling, my instinct, is that they will clear Robert, but I can't say it for sure.
"I don't know when the inquiry is going to finish, if it might be the 3rd or the 14th, or if, as some reports have said, there may be an extension.
"My legal opinion in this case is that there is no need for any extra time. The evidence gathered by the police is strong, and enough to clear Robert."
Asked what implications such a move could have for the McCanns, from Rothley, Leicestershire, Mr Pagarete said: "I don't know if the evidence goes against other people, our goal is just to clear Robert. The only thing we want to do is prove Robert didn't have anything to do with this unfortunate situation."
The McCanns' spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: "We will not comment on Mr Pagarete's assertions regarding his client, other than to say that January 3 is the eight months' anniversary of Madeleine's disappearance, and if the police are choosing to review matters on that particular anniversary, then we welcome anything that will lead to Gerry and Kate being eliminated from the inquiry, and will then allow the police to carry on searching for Madeleine properly.
"Beyond that we are not aware of January 3 having any particular significance at this stage."
Metro
