The family of a man interviewed over the disappearance of Madeleine McCann have called on police to close the case.
They claim it lacks evidence, is casting a cloud over their lives and is unfair.
Their relative is one of three men living in the Algarve town of Praia da Luz named in the Portuguese press as “arguidos” – a legal term loosely translated as “suspects”.
Scotland Yard detectives felt the trio should be interviewed, as phone records suggested they were in contact when Madeleine was taken on May 3, 2007.
All denied having anything to with the three year old when interviewed three years ago by Portuguese detectives with Scotland Yard officers present.
Two have jobs and the other suffers from mental health problems.
He has told friends the continuing investigation is unjustified and is affecting his health. None can be named for legal reasons.
However, a sibling of one of the men said: “This investigation is just so unfair.
“My brother is 100 per cent innocent. He has spoken with police, like the others, but he cannot talk about it because of judicial secrecy laws in Portugal.
“He is working, has a responsible job and just wants to get on with his life without this cloud hanging over him.”
The man works on the Algarve in the tourism industry and has a wide circle of friends who are standing by him.
One said: “All this nonsense has affected him. He was the centre of the party years ago, before all this, and loved hanging out with his friends, going to parties, cycling around town and just having a good time.
“Now he likes to lead a quiet life and tells friends he wants all this to go away.
“Like everyone in Luz he wants the mystery to be solved.
“This investigation by Scotland Yard has gone on too long. If they can’t get anywhere, they should speak to the Portuguese authorities and let them formally close it down.
“The file would be shelved again and only opened if there is a significant development. That is more fair than having a cloud of suspicion hanging over the Algarve.”
The Home Office has given the Yard’s Operation Grange team £85,000 more, to fund the four-strong team, headed by Detective Chief Inspector Nicola Wall, who are looking into the case.
The Portuguese are in charge of the case and the Yard has to work closely with them to carry out enquiries.
Some newspapers in Portugal have suggested a man Scotland Yard want interviewed further – not one of the three men – had links to the Ocean Club, from where Madeleine went missing.
There was also a report that the Yard wants to speak to a homeless drifter on the Algarve, allegedly involved in petty theft on the day Madeleine disappeared.
As the 10th anniversary of Madeleine’s disappearance approaches, Scotland Yard is considering what to do to capitalise on the global interest in the case.
So far officers have ruled out producing an “age progression” picture of what Madeline would look like at 13 and are reluctant to hold a press conference.
But a high-ranking officer may give television and radio interviews.
Madeleine’s parents Kate, 49, and Gerry McCann, 48, a heart expert, are considering giving one television interview, possibly to Piers Morgan or ITV News presenter Mary Nightingale.
They claim it lacks evidence, is casting a cloud over their lives and is unfair.
Their relative is one of three men living in the Algarve town of Praia da Luz named in the Portuguese press as “arguidos” – a legal term loosely translated as “suspects”.
Scotland Yard detectives felt the trio should be interviewed, as phone records suggested they were in contact when Madeleine was taken on May 3, 2007.
All denied having anything to with the three year old when interviewed three years ago by Portuguese detectives with Scotland Yard officers present.
Two have jobs and the other suffers from mental health problems.
He has told friends the continuing investigation is unjustified and is affecting his health. None can be named for legal reasons.
However, a sibling of one of the men said: “This investigation is just so unfair.
“My brother is 100 per cent innocent. He has spoken with police, like the others, but he cannot talk about it because of judicial secrecy laws in Portugal.
“He is working, has a responsible job and just wants to get on with his life without this cloud hanging over him.”
The man works on the Algarve in the tourism industry and has a wide circle of friends who are standing by him.
One said: “All this nonsense has affected him. He was the centre of the party years ago, before all this, and loved hanging out with his friends, going to parties, cycling around town and just having a good time.
“Now he likes to lead a quiet life and tells friends he wants all this to go away.
“Like everyone in Luz he wants the mystery to be solved.
“This investigation by Scotland Yard has gone on too long. If they can’t get anywhere, they should speak to the Portuguese authorities and let them formally close it down.
“The file would be shelved again and only opened if there is a significant development. That is more fair than having a cloud of suspicion hanging over the Algarve.”
The Home Office has given the Yard’s Operation Grange team £85,000 more, to fund the four-strong team, headed by Detective Chief Inspector Nicola Wall, who are looking into the case.
The Portuguese are in charge of the case and the Yard has to work closely with them to carry out enquiries.
Some newspapers in Portugal have suggested a man Scotland Yard want interviewed further – not one of the three men – had links to the Ocean Club, from where Madeleine went missing.
There was also a report that the Yard wants to speak to a homeless drifter on the Algarve, allegedly involved in petty theft on the day Madeleine disappeared.
As the 10th anniversary of Madeleine’s disappearance approaches, Scotland Yard is considering what to do to capitalise on the global interest in the case.
So far officers have ruled out producing an “age progression” picture of what Madeline would look like at 13 and are reluctant to hold a press conference.
But a high-ranking officer may give television and radio interviews.
Madeleine’s parents Kate, 49, and Gerry McCann, 48, a heart expert, are considering giving one television interview, possibly to Piers Morgan or ITV News presenter Mary Nightingale.
