"More unsubstantiated rampant speculation in the Portuguese press".

Blood found in the McCanns’ hire car and holiday flat did belong to missing Madeleine, it was claimed yesterday. (Daily Express Headline “MADELEINE: IT WAS HER BLOOD IN PARENTS’ HIRE CAR” Tuesday 8^th January 2008)

It reflects detectives’ belief that she is dead and her parents Kate and Gerry disposed of her body.

New results sent to Portugal in the last few days show the blood samples could only belong to Madeleine, it was claimed.

The McCanns have always insisted there were innocent explanations for the traces found behind the sofa at the Ocean Club apartment in Praia da Luz and in the boot of the Renault Scenic they hired there 25 days after Madeleine vanished on May 3. They claim the DNA could be linked to her siblings, two-year-old twins Sean and Amelie.

But the respected Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manha reported yesterday: “The definitive result of the tests leave no doubts for the Policia Judiciaria. The blood found in the McCanns’ car is that of Madeleine as well as those samples detected in the flat.”

Detectives in Portugal asked British scientists to carry out new tests after initial ones by the Forensic Science Service laboratory in Birmingham proved inconclusive.

They are believed to be using a new technique called low copy number analysis, which allows them to find a genetic fingerprint from a tiny sample.

The samples from the flat and the hire car were said to be damaged and of low quality, but police sources now claim the latest results are definitive.

Last night their spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: “These reports are very distressing for Kate and Gerry, they are depressed that again wild rumour and speculation is being presented as fact. We wish Portuguese police would just get on with their investigation, come over to England and carry out the interviews with Kate and Gerry and their friends.

All those interviews will prove, yet again, that Kate and Gerry have nothing to hide. As for the supposed DNA testing, we cannot comment on yet more unsubstantiated rampant speculation in the Portuguese press.

It is ridiculous to suggest that Madeleine’s blood was in the hire car because she was never in it. It was hired more than 20 days after she went missing, which means it was impossible for her to have ever been in it. Kate and Gerry were in no way involved in her death. Nor were they involved in disposing of her body. To suggest otherwise is ridiculous.

This report is flying in the face of all other articles which reported that the DNA and forensic tests were inconclusive. If there had been anything found I would have thought there would have been more urgent activity on the behalf of the Portuguese police than there has been.We have been waiting months now for them to come to England to carry out their re-interviewing. Anything the police feel may give them cause for concern can be wholly and innocently explained. But until we actually see the official FSS report we have no idea what it contains, and I suggest the Portuguese press don’t either.”

A friend of the McCanns added: “They were in no way involved in her disappearance, reports like this just add to their anguish. We would also point out that low copy DNA is under review by police forces in this country following the outcome of the Omagh bombing trial.”

IMO - In My Opinion
It's time for another favourite novel to read; another flurry of salt pinching. Plus its also time for a definite loud shout of 'bollocks' out the window to ward of the flock of flying pigs which have suddenly gathered .... this is just the circle doing its rounds once more ....