Fears search could end
THE £12million British police probe into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann could be shelved this week.
Funding for the Metropolitan Police’s Operation Grange is due to run out on Saturday.
Officers have applied to the Home Office for an extra £90,000 to keep the investigation going for another six months.
Policing minister Nick Hurd was expected to sign it off but Home Secretary Amber Rudd has reportedly got involved and no decision has yet been taken.
If the Met’s bid is rejected it is likely the four-strong team of detectives still working on the case will be wound down.
Scotland Yard could pay the sum from its own budget, but the force has suffered severe cutbacks. Police union officials have called for the McCann inquiry to be axed and funds redirected to protect London from crime and terrorism.
If the probe is halted it would be a bitter blow to Madeleine’s doctor parents Kate and Gerry, from Rothley, Leics.
Sources say they would dip into a fund set up shortly after their daughter vanished in Portugal in 2007 to pay private detectives to carry on looking for her.
But that cash pot – funded by public donations and the proceeds from Kate’s book about the case – has dwindled.
Active
The couple also still have to pay Portuguese detective Goncalo Amaral’s legal costs after their bid to sue him for £1m in libel damages failed.
A source said: “If the Home Office doesn’t come through with the extra funds, it would be a blow.
“The police obviously believe there are still active leads to be followed up and progress to be made.
“It would be extremely frustrating if funding was to dry up without the inquiry being allowed to reach a conclusion.”
A Home Office spokesman said recently: “The Metropolitan Police has made a further application for funding which will be considered.
“They have needed to justify what the money would be spent on.
“The Home Office has provided funding for Operation Grange and the resources required are reviewed regularly with careful consideration given before any new funding is allocated.”
The last cash injection came in April, with £85,000 to keep the current team working until the end of this month.
A Met Police spokesman said: “The inquiry has not reached a conclusion and we’re continuing with focus and determination.”
An announcement from the Home Office is expected this week.