Kate and Gerry McCann will not face new police interviews until after Christmas, it was revealed yesterday.
Detectives have delayed asking for the fresh interrogations until after the festive period, meaning the couple will be able to spend the time with their two-year-old twins, Sean and Amelie.
They have said they are dreading the festive celebrations without Madeleine, but want to have a "very quiet, private Christmas with family", and to keep the day as normal as possible for the twins.
Portuguese police will make formal requests for the McCanns and the other members of the so-called Tapas Nine to be re-interviewed some time after December 27.
The requests will have to be rubber-stamped by the Foreign Office and by the Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith. Portuguese officers will travel to Britain for the interviews, which will be carried out by British police but in the presence of Portuguese detectives.
The McCanns' spokesman, Clarence Mitchell, said police had not yet contacted the couple's lawyers about the new interviews. "We welcome the fact that Kate and Gerry will be able to have as normal a Christmas as possible in the circumstances," he said.
"However, we are keen for the process to be completed as soon as possible. No one has anything to hide." (Daily Mail)
