Madeleine McCann's Mum Returns To Portugal

Kate McCann has returned to Portugal for the first time since being quizzed by police over her daughter Madeleine's disappearance, her spokesman has told Sky. The British woman was accompanied by her husband Gerry, both 41, for a series of meetings with their lawyers and other advisers in Lisbon, Clarence Mitchell said. "They are planning to be there for one day. They are not going to Praia da Luz," the spokesman went on.

Madeleine was three when she went missing in the resort of Praia da Luz in May, 2007.

Adding that Mrs McCann was also to attend a press conference, Mr Mitchell said: "It is Kate's first visit back to Portugal since 2007 and it is difficult.

"It's something that has always been daunting for her, but she knew she would go back at some stage - and she's always said she'll do anything necessary to keep the search for Madeleine alive.

"If it means a trip to speak to the Portuguese media, then so be it. But she's always said she'll do anything to keep the inquiry alive."

One of the topics to be discussed with the lawyers will be an injunction against further publication of a book by former Portuguese police detective Goncalo Amaral. Mr Amaral was involved in the initial disappearance investigation but was later taken off the case.

In his book, The Truth of the Lie, he claims that Madeleine is dead and questions the McCanns' account that she was taken while they were eating with friends nearby. Earlier this month, a Portuguese judge banned further sale or publication of the book. The injunction also banned Mr Amaral from repeating his claims about Madeleine or her parents, who are from Rothley, Leicestershire.

At one point, Portuguese police had made Mr and Mrs McCann "arguidos", or formal suspects, in their daughter's disappearance.

They were questioned by detectives but their arguidos status was later lifted. (Sky News)