She will be quizzed by police again at 10.30am today The mother of missing Madeleine McCann has been told she is to be named as an "official suspect" in the case after being quizzed by police for 11 hours. A family spokesman made the dramatic revelation that the mother of three is to become a suspect in the investigation. Kate McCann was grilled in a marathon police interview yesterday and is expected to be called back in today and it is thought that it is then that she will officially named as a suspect. However, it is understood that naming her as an "arguido" in the case could be for technical reasons - and could give the mother extra rights.
Portuguese detectives want to ask Mrs McCann 22 specific questions about Madeleine's disappearance - and it is understood they can't do this unless she is declared as an "arguido".
She is said to be amazed and very concerned about the development.
Under Portuguese law, an arguido has certain legal protection that is not extended to a witness, including the right to remain silent during questioning and the right to legal representation. It is not uncommon for people caught up in criminal investigations in Portugal to declare themselves arguidos in order to receive this protection.
A McCann family spokesman said: "Just before the session ended last night, they made it clear they had some further questions to ask which would require her to be in arguido status rather than just witness status." He could not confirm what these questions were, or whether Mr McCann will also be made an arguido when he reports to the police station later.
Mrs McCann is said to be upset at the development, and she looked drawn and tired when she left the police station early this morning.
The spokesman said: "She is shocked and surprised in several ways. First of all that such an accusation could be made against her. And obviously she is concerned that such a line of investigation can become a distraction from further attempts to find Madeleine."
Before she left the police station, detectives told Mrs McCann they had further questions to ask her which would require her to be given arguido status, the family spokesman said.
Mrs McCann will return to the police station at 10.30am and her husband Gerry is due to be interviewed by officers separately at 2pm. (Daily Mail)
Quick Insight
8 of Staves (reversed) - 'There are jealous rivals waiting for you to fall'6 of Staves - 'Truimph'?
3 of Weapons - 'It can't get any worse so take a chance. Where the pain is caused by a third party it is worth taking the offensive. However, with legal matters, tread warily.'
It appears time for 'whistle-blowing'. This has gone on too long. Protected, it appears Kate can now say what she's been wanting to say for a while now. Kate appears to know 'something' and is perhaps close to revealing her own suspicions. The recent spate of slurs can only have reinforced her resolve to speak out.
