WE ARE BEING BUGGED
Phone call fears of McCanns
Kate and Gerry McCann believe their mobile phones and emails are being bugged by British police.
They are convinced that officers are acting on behalf of Portuguese detectives who suspect the couple accidentally killed daughter Madeleine, four, and hid her body.
Friends also fear their private talks are bugged. One source said: "There's a firm belief Kate and Gerry were listened to in Portugal and that it's happening now they're home. That belief is based on information they received during the investigation.
"Kate and Gerry are entirely innocent and have nothing to hide.
"But they're understandably cautious about what they say on the phone and in emails.
"Gerry will often refuse to talk on a mobile. He prefers landlines as he considers them safer."
A key part of the investigation into missing Madeleine is said to focus on emails and calls between the McCanns and their friends.
Foreign police cannot carry out covert surveillance in Britain.
But they can file a Mutual Legal Assistance request asking for a bug to be installed.
If the request is agreed by senior officials up to Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, the Home Office can give the go-ahead to local police to bug any suspects.
Gerry, 39, is "certain" Portuguese police spied on his and Kate's mobiles while they were in Praia da Luz where Madeleine vanished on May 3.
Officers confronted the couple - who are now home in Rothley, Leics - with evidence that could only have been obtained from private conversations.
Our source revealed: "Kate and Gerry were warned when they were in Portugal their phones and emails might have been tapped.
"They remain concerned that even though they're back home, this is still going on.
"It's assumed that it's taking place. It makes them feel uncomfortable. They feel they're being watched at all times.
"It would be entirely wrong to say that their phone conversations are in any way furtive as a result.
"But they'd obviously not want to disclose the way in which they plan to conduct their defence. Everyone is being very careful."
A senior police source said last night: "There would need to be high level meetings before anything like this could be done.
"But if I was someone in government I'd have got it done to ensure we knew as much as possible, given that the case involves UK citizens."
Neither the Home Office nor Leicestershire police would comment on the fears.
A spokesman for the McCanns also refused to comment.
Friends say Kate and Gerry and their legal team are growing frustrated at the lack of communication from Portuguese police.
The couple's lawyers are said to be "working in a vacuum" trying to prepare a defence.
One friend said: "The defence is having to draw up a case without knowing what the allegations are.
"The whole thing is full of huge frustrations and worries.
"They are very frustrated and concerned that they have as much information as possible at the right time."
Mirror
