International
Report: Madeleine McCann's mother named as suspect

PORTIMAO, Portugal (AP): The mother of a missing British girl whose disappearance sparked an international search was formally named as a suspect by Portuguese police Friday, British media reported.

The Press Association news agency and other outlets quoted unidentified family friends as saying Kate McCann had been declared a suspect under Portuguese law. Earlier, family friend and former spokesman Clarence Mitchell told The Associated Press that police had told Kate McCann and her husband, Gerry, that they would both be named as suspects.

Family spokeswoman Justine McGuinness said Portuguese police had alleged that Kate McCann might have been involved in her daughter's death.

``They believe they have evidence to show that in some way she is involved in the death of her daughter, which is completely ludicrous,'' McGuinness told British Broadcasting Corp. television.

McGuinness said the allegations related to traces of blood found in a car rented by the McCanns. She said the car was not rented until 25 days after Madeleine was abducted on May 3.

Under Portuguese law, the legal move grants certain protections to suspects, but allows police more latitude in questioning. Police also have to show suspects whatever evidence they might have against them.

Friends and family said they were increasingly concerned that the McCanns could face charges over their daughter's disappearance.

Gerry McCann's sister, Philomena McCann, said police were suggesting Kate might have killed Madeleine accidentally.

``They are suggesting that Kate has in some way accidentally killed Madeleine, then kept her body, then got rid of it,'' she told Sky News. ``I have never heard anything so utterly ludicrous in my entire life.''

Kate McCann was questioned for 11 hours on Thursday at a police station in Portimao, a town in Portugal's Algarve region, and faced a media scrum as she returned for more questioning Friday morning. Gerry McCann was due to be questioned Friday afternoon, Mitchell said.

The couple have maintained their innocence throughout.

The McCanns ``continue to deny absolutely they had anything to do'' with their daughter's disappearance, Mitchell said.

He said Kate McCann had found the police questioning ``grueling.''

International

---

---