
The suggestion that police could follow other lines of inquiry may mean that detectives are continuing to keep an open mind despite the McCanns' status as official suspects.
Sky Europe correspondent Greg Milam, in the Algarve, said: "This means that the investigation file has come back from the judge to the prosecutors with his comments. While they remain formal suspects, it will be a relief to the McCanns that they don't face further questioning either in Portugal or the UK."
Family spokesman Clarence Mitchell told Sky News: "The wording need to be very carefully assessed by Kate and Gerry's lawyers in Portugal. But the fact that they can stay in England... is good news, surely. On the face of it, it does appear to be encouraging."