UPDATE AT 14.50 HOURS, SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 2007
GERRY AND Kate McCann have arrived in their home village in the UK after flying back from Portugal 129 days after their daughter Madeleine disappeared.
Earlier, after landing at East Midlands Airport, Gerry McCann said they had returned for the sake of their twins and he appealed for their privacy to be respected.
“We want the twins, as much as is reasonably possible, to live an ordinary life in their home country, and want to consider the events of the last few days, which have been so deeply disturbing.
“Despite there being so much we wish to say we are unable to do so, except to say this: we played no part in the disappearance of our lovely daughter, Madeleine.”
He also said they had left Portugal with the full consent of the Portuguese police.
Chief Inspector Olegario Sousa told news agency ,I>Associated Press that the police investigation is not over.
“The investigation will only end when we think the case file is complete and we hand our findings to the Public Prosecutor, who then decides whether to drop the case or bring charges,” he said.
The McCanns have no bail conditions attached to their status as arguidos.
The couple’s status changed from witnesses to suspects after they were questioned separately in Portimao.
Sources close to the family say detectives believe the two doctors may be responsible for the four-year-old’s death – a suggestion rubbished by the McCanns’ friends and family.
Due to legal restrictions on police under Portuguese law, they are unable to respond to any of the claims made by the McCanns or family members.
However, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has said she is satisfied with the way Portuguese police have conducted the investigation.
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