Police bust-up sparks fear for Madeleine McCann investigation

THE TV investigator who exposed Jimmy Savile as a paedophile claims UK police face a clash with Portuguese investigators over the Madeleine McCann mystery

By Jerry Lawton/Published 1st August 2013

Former officer Mark Williams-Thomas, 42, whose ITV documentary lifted the lid on Savile’s abuse, said the relationship between British and Portuguese police was “very tense”.

He claimed on Twitter it was “far from agreed” that the two forces would cooperate in the search for Madeleine, who vanished aged three while on holiday in Portugal in 2007.

Portugal’s law chiefs have received a letter from Home Secretary Theresa May asking for permission to base UK officers there.

But the Portuguese Attorney-General’s office said yesterday: “There is currently no timetable for when and how we will proceed.”

“The British authorities cannot carry out interviews or make inquiries in Portugual without being accompanied by public prosecutors

Mr Williams Thomas tweeted: “Home Sec sends request to Portugal asking if Mets can begin a new investigation into Madeleine McCann’s disappearance.

“Relationship btwn UK police & Portuguese over Mets saying they will investigate Madeleine’s disappearance is very tense & far from agreed.”

Then-three-year-old Madeleine vanished from her family’s holiday apartment in the Algarve resort of Praia La Luz in May 2007.

Portuguese police, who were assisted by officers from the McCanns’ home force in Leicestershire, archived the case as an unsolved mystery.

Earlier this month Met Police, who started reviewing the investigation two years ago following a personal plea from the McCanns to the Prime Minister, said the operation had thrown up “new evidence, new witnesses, new thinking and new theories”.

They launched their own inquiry after identifying 38 potential suspects across five countries including Portugal and the UK.

Twelve of them are Brits.

Under international law UK detectives cannot arrest or interview witnesses on Portuguese soil.

But they can observe as local police carry out inquiries on their behalf.

If approval is given the Met is expected to seek new forensic evidence and pursue hundreds of possible leads its review is understood to have uncovered.

Scotland Yard declined to comment.

Comments on Daily Star report:  
1.  He (Mark Williams-Thomas) was a copper at a very lowly level and is a long time out of the force.
2.  The article starts off by saying 'Police Bust Up' then goes on to say 'tv investigator claims the UK police face a clash with Portuguese investigators over Madeleine McCann mystery'.  So he CLAIMS. There is nothing solid about this at all it is all speculation. Nice headlines to sell papers.
3.  It's based only on his tweet!

According to the Express, it's a go:-
Madeleine McCann inquiry wins backing from Portugal

SCOTLAND Yard detectives searching for Madeleine McCann are set to fly to Portugal as its law chief yesterday confirmed receipt of Britain’s request to follow up fresh leads.

The exchange of letters between London and Lisbon means the Portuguese end of the Yard’s new inquiry is now on an official footing.

Detectives from Operation Grange are expected in the Algarve in the next few weeks.

But sources stressed the British police officers can do nothing in Portugal without being accompanied by public prosecutors.

Portugal’s Attorney General’s office confirmed receipt of a letter from Home Secretary Theresa May.

A spokesman said: “A request for judicial assistance has been received from the British authorities.

“There is currently no timetable for when and how we will proceed.”

Yesterday’s confirmation by the Portuguese is another significant step in the two-year operation which has cost £5million so far.

Last month detectives announced a new investigation after a review identified 38 potential suspects.

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/418929 ... m-Portugal