Case against McCanns filed 'today'
Updated on 10 September 2007
Police in Portugal have revealed that papers outlining the case against Kate and Gerry McCann are expected to be passed to the public prosecutor today.
The Portimao-based prosecutor will then decide whether to bring charges against the parents of missing toddler Madeleine.
Chief Inspector Olegario Sousa, spokesman for the Portuguese police inquiry, said:
"At the moment the inquiry is being prepared to be handed to the prosecutor in charge of the case.
"He will analyse it and after this he will make his decision."
Asked when the papers would be handed over, he said:
"Probably during today."
The McCanns' Portuguese lawyer, Carlos Pinto de Abreu, has said he has no idea how long it would take for the case to be concluded. It is understood the McCanns could have to wait months before learning whether they will be charged or cleared.
"At the moment the inquiry is being prepared to be handed to the prosecutor in charge of the case."Chief Inspector Olegario Sousa, Portuguese police spokesman
The McCanns remain at their Leicestershire home today after arriving back in Britain yesterday having been formally declared suspects in the investigation.
The family's decision to return to the UK was based largely upon their desire to ensure their two twins maintain a "sense of normality".
Mr McCann said: "We want the twins, as much as is reasonably possible, to live an ordinary life in their home country, and we want to consider the events of the last few days which have been so deeply disturbing."
It is very unlikely they will bring the twins back to Portugal with them if police need them for further interviews, a family friend has said.
