New Madeleine McCann suspect: Portuguese detectives probe new lead 12 years after she went missing

Detectives in the Madeleine McCann case are investigating a new kidnap suspect, it was claimed today.

Police in Portugal have been given extra resources to pursue a “a new clue” and “a new suspect,” reports in a leading Portugese daily newspaper said.

The report said public prosecutors had turned down a request to see new material relating to the case because of “active lines of investigation.”

It claimed: “Police are following new Maddie kidnap clues. More inspectors are advancing with an investigation into a new suspect.”

The Lisbon-based newspaper Correio da Manha said the new lead did not involve Maddie’s parents.

Yesterday Met Commissioner Cressida Dick confirmed the force had applied for more Home Office funding for its own investigation into the case.

She said: “We have active lines of inquiries and I think the public would expect us to see those through.

“A very small team continues to work on this case with Portuguese colleagues and we have put in an application to the Home Office for further funding.”

Madeleine was three when she was last seen while on holiday with her parents in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in May 2007.

British police launched their own investigation, Operation Grange, in 2013 after a Portuguese inquiry failed to make progress.