The Madeleine McCann investigation has hit an impasse as police are being blocked from asking the McCanns 100 new questions.
Detectives said a 'root and branch' review of the six-month inquiry had 'confirmed suspicions' but failed to uncover any new clues which could solve the disappearance.
They have drawn up a list of questions they want to put to Kate and Gerry McCann but they will not be allowed to do so unless they convince a public prosecutor that they have a case against them. They also want to interrogate the other members of the so-called Tapas Nine, and to quiz relatives about the couple and their relationship with their children.
But the Portuguese public prosecutor has said he will not authorise any new interrogations without seeing stronger evidence in the case. Police have privately admitted that it would take 'a miracle' for them to build a better case against the couple, although they still hope there could be a forensics breakthrough in the investigation.
A source told the Portuguese newspaper 24 Horas that detectives were waiting for further test results from the Forensics Science Service in Birmingham. He said: "The tests were requested more than three months ago but the results have not yet arrived. These tests are fundamental to direct the investigation.
"The letter of appeal (to the British authorities) is concluded. It contains over 100 questions which will be put to Kate and Gerry McCann, their family members and their friends.
"The purpose is to confirm the testimonies produced at the time the little girl disappeared."
Preliminary results from the FSS proved inconclusive, as did forensic tests carried out in Portugal. (Daily Mail)
