Cops told to drag out McCann inquiry
Gerry and Kate McCann believe Portuguese police have been told to drag out the Madeleine investigation in the hope they will finally pin something on them.
But the couple insist there is NO evidence against them and detectives are just stalling.
A close friend said: "The police obviously think they will get lucky and some evidence will fall in their laps.
"Gerry and Kate know that won't happen, because they know they're innocent, but it's not fair that police keep moving the goalposts."
The pal added: "Gerry and Kate are going through absolute agony and they feel there's no end in sight." The judicial secrecy laws surrounding the case expire today - eight months after Madeleine, four, vanished from the family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal. Prosecutors have asked for a three month extension.
And Attorney General Fernando Pinto Monteiro fired off a letter to the prosecutor telling him to take as long as he likes to investigate in secret.
A local newspaper claims Mr Monteiro is also drafting changes to the law which could mean the secrecy rules governing the case, and others like it, could remain indefinitely. And 1,300 prosecuting lawyers and magistrates are backing his plan. It is thought he will petition the Ministry of Justice on Wednesday. It would mean that Gerry and Kate, 39, will never get the chance to see the their police files.
Their friend said: "It seems like every week there's another change in Portuguese law that hampers the investigation and delays the case further."
The McCanns' spokesman Clarence Mitchell said last night: "We hope the bureaucracy can be dealt with as swiftly and efficiently as possible, it is unfair to keep Gerry and Kate in absolute darkness like this.
"We think it's unfair, unjust and almost inhumane that a couple who have not seen their daughter for eight months are now looking at a further three months without any apparent attempt by the police even to tell them what is happening."
Yesterday, Gerry's mum Eileen, 67, said she hoped that Madeleine would be back for twins Sean and Amelie's third birthday next month at home in Rothley, Leics.
She said: "The party's on and it will be an even bigger one if wee Madeleine is back. All we can do is hope and pray.
"As difficult as it is, life has to go on. We are determined to give the twins as normal an upbringing as possible."
It was also claimed yesterday that film-makers have told the McCanns that the planned documentary about her disappearance will only go ahead if she is soon found alive or dead.
Mirror
