YOU'VE 6 MORE MONTHS TO FIND MADDIE
Cops get £150,000 for one ‘final line of inquiry’
MADELEINE McCann’s parents were given new hope last night as police probing her disappearance got an extra £150,000 to chase a “final line of inquiry”.
Kate and Gerry were said to be “incredibly grateful” to the Home Office for approving Scotland Yard’s
request for more money amid government cuts.
Family spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: “They are very encouraged that the Met Police still believe there is work left to be done in the search for their daughter.
“They remain incredibly grateful to the Home Office for providing an extra budget for the investigation. Beyond this they cannot comment on the ongoing operation.’’
The seven-and-a-half-year police inquiry – codenamed Operation Grange – will now carry on until April.
So far it has cost taxpayers £11.75million.
Scotland Yard applied for renewed funding in September.
A Home Office spokesman said: “We have confirmed that Special Grant funding of £150,000 will be provided to the Metropolitan Police Service for the six-month period to March 31, 2019.
“This is an ongoing police investigation.’’
Madeleine vanished from her family’s holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in May 2007, days before her fourth birthday.