Searches for clues scaled back by 75%

THE budget for the police operation probing Madeleine Mccann’s disappearance has been slashed as the 10-year anniversary approaches.

Two years ago the cost of funding the UK investigation was €1.37million. But last year that fell by 75 per cent, to just €360,000. At its peak in 2012, Operation Grange – Scotland Yard’s codename for the search – cost €3.2million.

To date the UK force has spent €13million on the search.

A source said: “This is a clear indication the operation is being scaled back. The Mccanns know the police are under budgetary restraints so there is no resentment. But they will never give up hope.”

Operation Grange was set up in 2011 after then PM David Cameron asked the force to “bring their expertise” to the inquiry. Last month it was feared the search was coming to a close – but police were given an extra €100,000 in a “last throw of the dice” to trace a new “person of interest”.

An insider said police wanted to quiz someone who was close by when Maddie went missing.

The person is thought to be a former member of staff.

A Portuguese police source said: “This Portuguese man used to work at the club. British officers are convinced he knows more than he let on.”

This week an Ocean Club nanny who was there the night Maddie vanished claimed the resort was so unsafe she was given a rape alarm – and told not to go anywhere by herself.

She said: “It didn’t sound like a family resort to me.” She also recalled Maddie’s parents’ anguish and insists there is “no way they did it” – saying Kate was in a “catatonic state” after realising her girl was gone.