McCanns are given £85,000 of taxpayers' cash to fund Madeleine search for another six months as police reveal they are closing in on her possible kidnapper

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4305014/McCanns-given-85-000-boost-fund-Madeleine-search.html

McCanns are given £85,000 of taxpayers' cash to fund Madeleine search for another six months as police reveal they are closing in on her possible kidnapper

By Tracey Kandohla For Mailonline

Published: 22:54, 11 March 2017 | Updated: 23:57, 11 March 2017


The parents of Madeleine McCann have been given a lifeline in the search for their daughter with a new £85,000 cash boost to police who now reveal they are closing in on her kidnapper.

Kate and Gerry McCann tonight said they are 'very grateful' for the continued support by Scotland Yard amid fears the controversial £13million investigation into Maddie's disappearance, codenamed Operation Grange, was being shelved.

The couple face the agonising milestone 10th anniversary of her abduction in just eight weeks.


A Met Police spokesperson confirmed the Home Office had approved the extra funding to continue inquiries for another six months.

But he refused to say if they were now trying to quiz one final Portuguese suspect, simply saying: 'We are cracking on. The Operation Grange team are not prepared to discuss any lines of inquiry while the investigation is ongoing.'

Family spokesman Clarence Mitchell said tonight: 'Kate and Gerry remain incredibly grateful to the Home Office and the Met Police for the continued work into the search for their daughter.'

He added: 'But, like the police, they will not be commenting on any operational details.'

The inquiry was launched nearly six years ago in May 2011 on orders of then Prime Minister David Cameron but has so far failed to unearth any new clues.

A close pal of former GP Kate, 49, and heart doctor Gerry said: 'They have never given up hope of finding out what happened to Madeleine, and still believe she could be alive.

'They appreciate the Met Police's help and know they are doing everyone possible for a resolution after all this time.'

Three-year-old Maddie vanished from a holiday apartment in Portugal's Praia da Luz nearly a decade ago in May 2007 while her parents were dining nearby with friends. She would now be aged 13, nearly 14.


As time was believed to be running out on the slow-going investigation a fresh injection of cash, approved last week by the Home Office of request of the desperate police, is ' very welcoming', the McCann source said.

The extra SY money has rubber stamped by PM Teresa May, who has met Maddie's parents several times in the past in her former role as Home Secretary.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: 'Following an application from the Metropolitan Police for Special Grant funding, the Home Office has confirmed £85,000 in operational costs for Operation Grange for the period 1 April until September 2017.

'As with all applications, the resources required are reviewed regularly and careful consideration is given before any new funding is allocated.'

To date a total of £11.1 million has been spent on Operation Grange.


Britain's top cop, newly retired Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe told last summer how his officers were chasing up one 'last throw of the dice' lead in their painstaking inquiries.

Mrs May had come to their rescue in April 2016 granting police an extra £95,000 to help keep the search going.

And now, a financial year on, her predecessor Home Secretary Amber Rudd has approved an extra £85,000 till early October – a noticeable £10,000 less after this week's Budget woes.

Ex police chiefs and some members of public have slammed the Maddie inquiry as a waste of taxpayers' money and officers' time despite it being drastically scaled down last year.

MCCANNS PUT £500K INTO FUND


The McCanns have ploughed nearly £500,000 into the Find Madeleine Fund.

Companies House records show the fund, which is controlled by Kate, Gerry and four other directors, had total assets at £714,000.

The couple have raised £3.7million since Maddie's disappearance 10 years ago.

A source told the Daily Mirror: 'They are making best use of the fund's remaining cash.

'It makes sense to make sure the money earns as much as possible.'


Most of the money has been used to pay for private investigators and campaigns.
.

Four officers continue to work on the team, headed by Detective Chief Inspector Nicola Wall. A force spokesperson said: 'The inquiry has not reached a conclusion. There are still focused lines of investigation to be pursued. There are no immediate plans to reduce office numbers further at this time.'


Former police chief Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe recently said: 'Either way we want to try and end the torture that Madeleine's parents are going through.'

While still boss, before bowing out last month, he said: 'I can't be absolutely confident we will resolve it, 100 per cent. But we've made some really good progress on the lines of inquiry and I think we have a really good chance.'

Kate and Gerry, 48, from Rothley, Leics, said in a previous posting on the official Find Maddie website: 'Until we have answers, until there is news there will always be hope. Whist the investigation is never as much or as speedy as we, or the police would like, we are moving in the right direction.'

I can't understand why UK residents are not protesting and rioting in the streets over the taxpayer expense involved in this fraud. I know these days the comments on various articles are predominately anti-McCann but what about Letters to the Editors. Here in Canada the editors routinely print letters from people who are outraged about what they see as frivolous spending of taxpayer dollars. I expect the same can be said of people in the UK but I suppose the editors must moderate what they can print due to Government involvement. What is the count now, four PM's?

I notice the Express is touting "one man who is the key to the mystery". How long does it take to drive from London to Rothley?

Who can forget that Kate herself refused to answer the 48 questions, even though by refusing to do so she herself would be hindering the investigation, all the while wearing clothing which indicated contact with a dead body. Instead the McCanns sued Mr. Amaral because they said his book hindered the investigation.

I guess we are in for six weeks of PR leading up to the tenth anniversary in May. It's enough to make even a clergyman swear!!!!

Unbelievable. Just how much money is going to be thrown at this.over 20 million pounds and nothing to show for it. We can only assume that they have another big expenditure item they need. Mortgage paid off, what about a holiday home???

Unbelievable, yet still they never re question those responsible for the child in the first place. I can´t help but wonder why.

WHY!!!! How can it be justified? Don't other children deserve to be found too

News AOL More money for Madeleine police. Detectives granted funds to keep the investigation running until September
Toddler disappeared in 2007

Madeleine McCann: police given funds to extend probe for another six months

By PA  12 Mar 2017, 0:13 Updated: 12 Mar 2017, 8:43

Police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann have been granted thousands of pounds to extend the search for a further six months.
The Home Office has granted officers £85,000 to cover "operational costs" to continue with the probe, known as Operation Grange, between April and September this year.

Madeleine disappeared from the family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in Portugal in May 2007 aged three.

Her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, of Rothley, Leicestershire, have vowed to "never give up" hope of finding their daughter.

Since 2011, the Metropolitan Police have been assisting with the search for clues about what happened to the youngster, with officers visiting the holiday resort in 2014.

There is one person who was near the area where Madeleine went missing who police want to speak to, the Sunday Express reported.
The paper said there has been an international search to find the person.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: "Following an application from the Metropolitan Police for Special Grant funding, the Home Office has confirmed £85,000 in operational costs for Operation Grange for the period 1 April until September 2017.

"As with all applications, the resources required are reviewed regularly and careful consideration is given before any new funding is allocated."
To date a total of £11.1 million has been spent on Operation Grange.

THAT THE KIND OF MONEY THAT COULD POTENTIALLY CREATE JOBS,GET PEOPLE OFF BENEFITS ETC ETC

It's sickening to read about the McCanns having to face the 'agonizing milestone' of the 10th anniversary as they plough 500,000 pound into a string of investments to keep their desperate search alive. On top of that Operation Grange are given another 85,000 pound for an additional six months search.

In the meantime they are accepting bids to help them cope with that 'agonizing milestone'.

WHO IS THIS PERSON THEY ARE GOING TO INTERVIEW?

APPEARED ON 5 NEWS UPDATE JUST A MINUTE AGO.

Madeleine McCann cops hunt worker at resort as they fear he 'kept secrets' from local police

British officers are convinced the former worker at the Ocean Club in Praia da Luz knows more than he's told them
ByTracey Kandohla,Matthew Young,
22:25, 12 MAR 2017
Updated22:34, 12 MAR 2017

police are hunting for a worker from the resort where Madeleine McCann vanished who they believe has clues about her ­disappearance.

The Portuguese man was at the Ocean Club in Praia Da Luz when the three-year-old was snatched in 2007.




He gave a statement at the time but detectives fear he may have kept secrets.

A local police source said: “British officers are very keen to question him.”

The former resort worker being hunted by police on the Madeleine McCann case gave a ­witness statement two days after the girl vanished.

But British officers trying to find the youngster fear he may have kept secrets from local detectives that could have led to a ­breakthrough in the case.

And they now want to speak to the former staff member who worked at the Ocean Club in Praia da Luz on the Algarve, where three-year-old Madeleine vanished in May 2007.

A Portuguese police source said: “British officers are convinced he knows more than he was previously saying and are very keen to question him.

“They are not suggesting he stole Maddie but he may know people who could have been involved after a burglary went wrong. The investigation in Britain seems to be grinding to a halt and they want to rule him out of the case if not rule him in.

“Then detectives know they have done everything in their power to try to solve the case.

This Portuguese man used to work at the club resort, he speaks a bit of English.”

Another source reportedly said: “There is just one person detectives want to speak to who was near to the area Madeleine disappeared from 10 years ago.

“An international search has been under way to find them.”

The “solid live lead” is seen as strong enough to have persuaded the Home Office to plough £85,000 more into the Met’s Operation Grange. That will extend the search for ­Madeleine until September.

Her doctor parents Kate and Gerry McCann , of Rothley, Leics, have always believed their daughter is still alive.

Senior officers are said to have admitted this the “last throw of the dice” in the hunt. But they are taking the new lead so seriously that top Whitehall ­officials are being briefed on its progress, it is ­understood.

The £13million hunt for Madeleine was due to end within weeks. But the extra cash came after a“special grant funding” appeal from the Met when the new lead came to light.
Scotland Yard said: “Inquiries are ongoing.” The Ocean Club would not comment last night.

I don't think this guy is the only one who "knows more than he's told them". Try talking to the McCanns and their friends who had a "pact".

20 plus comments submitted to the DM and not one published! WHY are the press 'not allowed' to print any comments that the McCanns may not like? Just WHO is protecting the couple?

contrary wrote:20 plus comments submitted to the DM and not one published! WHY are the press 'not allowed' to print any comments that the McCanns may not like? Just WHO is protecting the couple?

Good question: "Just WHO is protecting the couple?" Another question: Is it customary for "top Whitehall officials" to be briefed? Or, does that only happen when four PM's have been previously involved?

cherry1 wrote:Madeleine McCann cops hunt worker at resort as they fear he 'kept secrets' from local police

British officers are convinced the former worker at the Ocean Club in Praia da Luz knows more than he's told them
ByTracey Kandohla,Matthew Young,
22:25, 12 MAR 2017
Updated22:34, 12 MAR 2017

police are hunting for a worker from the resort where Madeleine McCann vanished who they believe has clues about her ­disappearance.

The Portuguese man was at the Ocean Club in Praia Da Luz when the three-year-old was snatched in 2007.




He gave a statement at the time but detectives fear he may have kept secrets.

A local police source said: “British officers are very keen to question him.”

The former resort worker being hunted by police on the Madeleine McCann case gave a ­witness statement two days after the girl vanished.

But British officers trying to find the youngster fear he may have kept secrets from local detectives that could have led to a ­breakthrough in the case.

And they now want to speak to the former staff member who worked at the Ocean Club in Praia da Luz on the Algarve, where three-year-old Madeleine vanished in May 2007.

A Portuguese police source said: “British officers are convinced he knows more than he was previously saying and are very keen to question him.

“They are not suggesting he stole Maddie but he may know people who could have been involved after a burglary went wrong. The investigation in Britain seems to be grinding to a halt and they want to rule him out of the case if not rule him in.

“Then detectives know they have done everything in their power to try to solve the case.

This Portuguese man used to work at the club resort, he speaks a bit of English.”

Another source reportedly said: “There is just one person detectives want to speak to who was near to the area Madeleine disappeared from 10 years ago.

“An international search has been under way to find them.”

The “solid live lead” is seen as strong enough to have persuaded the Home Office to plough £85,000 more into the Met’s Operation Grange. That will extend the search for ­Madeleine until September.

Her doctor parents Kate and Gerry McCann , of Rothley, Leics, have always believed their daughter is still alive.

Senior officers are said to have admitted this the “last throw of the dice” in the hunt. But they are taking the new lead so seriously that top Whitehall ­officials are being briefed on its progress, it is ­understood.

The £13million hunt for Madeleine was due to end within weeks. But the extra cash came after a“special grant funding” appeal from the Met when the new lead came to light.
Scotland Yard said: “Inquiries are ongoing.” The Ocean Club would not comment last night.

THANK YOU,CHERRY1 FOR INFO

Thanks cherry.
(Quote from article)
The £13million hunt for Madeleine was due to end within weeks. But the extra cash came after a“special grant funding” appeal from the Met when the new lead came to light.
(Unquote).

This; 'new lead information' has been in the possession of the police for almost 10 years.... Why haven't they sought him before?

So has the information that Kate (Madeleine's mother) also gave 'the finger' to the Portuguese officers 48 times... Surely that indicates she also may have information which could have helped the search... When are they going to demand more cash to re-interview her?

i thought the police had declined to comment on an ongoing investigation.

The Mercury catches up at last......

More money for Madeleine McCann investigation. By AlanThompson  |  Posted: March 12, 2017
0 COMMENTS  2 SHARES
Handout/PA Wire
image: http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/images/localworld/ugc-images/276308/Article/images/30197564/15901647-large.jpg

Madeleine McCann

Police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann have been granted thousands of pounds to extend the search for a further six months.
image: http://tag-dyn.omnitagjs.com/fo-dyn/native/preview/image?key=bc28de946ed4a83d2551ae53277aef59&ztop=0.40576666520062754&zleft=0.4037999736112944&zwidth=0.18968274911671137&zheight=0.18968274911671137&width=80&height=80&kind=INTERNAL

image: http://fo-static.omnitagjs.com/fo-static/native/images/info-ayl.png

The Home Office has granted officers £85,000 to cover "operational costs" to continue with the probe, known as Operation Grange, between April and September this year.
Madeleine disappeared from the family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in Portugal in May 2007 aged three.
Her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, of Rothley, have vowed to "never give up" hope of finding their daughter.

Since 2011, the Metropolitan Police have been assisting with the search for clues about what happened to the youngster, with officers visiting the holiday resort in 2014.
There is one person who was near the area where Madeleine went missing who police want to speak to, the Sunday Express reported.
The paper said there has been an international search to find the person.
A Home Office spokeswoman said: "Following an application from the Metropolitan Police for Special Grant funding, the Home Office has confirmed £85,000 in operational costs for Operation Grange for the period 1 April until September 2017.
"As with all applications, the resources required are reviewed regularly and careful consideration is given before any new funding is allocated."
To date a total of £11.1 million has been spent on Operation Grange

Read more at http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/more-money-for-madeleine-mccann-investigation/story-30197564-detail/story.html#wkVobdBXegeBQg2I.99