£300k EXTRA CASH FOR MADDIE SEARCH
‘Give us year’, pleads Met
POLICE probing the disappearance of Madeleine McCann have asked for another £300,000 of taxpayers’ cash.
The Home Office last night confirmed it is considering an application for more funding for the Metropolitan Police’s Operation Grange.
Police believe they need at least another year to try and determine what happened to the British girl who vanished in Portugal in 2007.
The inquiry has already cost nearly £12million.
A Home Office spokesman said: “We have received and are considering a request from the Metropolitan Police Service to extend funding for Operation Grange until the end of March 2020.”
In November the force was granted £150,000 to continue the probe until next month.
Madeleine vanished aged three from her family’s holiday apartment in Praia da Luz while her doctor parents Kate and Gerry were dining with pals.
The couple, from Rothley, Leicestershire, insist she was abducted.
The Official Find Madeleine Campaign website, which is run by well-wishers, posted a moving message to thank the public for continuing to look for her.
It featured a picture of an angel with long blonde hair holding a heart. The image contained the words: “Because if you keep hope alive it will keep you alive.’’
The website controller added the message: “Thank you for continuing to keep hope alive and for standing by our side.’’
Pals of the McCanns say they have been heartened by Met commissioner Cressida Dick’s pledge to keep the hunt going. Ms Dick was part of the team that set up the inquiry nine years ago. She said: “I can understand why some people may feel differently but I think it is quite right that we should continue until it has reached its conclusion.” Portuguese police archived the case as unsolved in 2008. They are now working alongside Met detectives. Both forces are believed to be probing if Madeleine could have come to harm after leaving the apartment to find her parents. The McCanns believe she was snatched from her bed by an intruder. A Scotland Yard spokesman declined to comment.