Maddie hunt fund slashed
BRITISH police spending on the search for Madeleine McCann has been cut by nearly £850,000 as the ten-year anniversary of her disappearance approaches.
It dwindled to just £302,000 last year, 75 per cent down on the £1.15million funding in 2015, figures obtained by the Sunday People show.
At the probe’s peak in 2012, Operation Grange – Scotland Yard’s code name for the hunt – spent £2.75million.
Maddie, three, vanished on the evening of May 3, 2007, from the holiday flat where she was staying with parents Kate and Gerry in Praia da Luz, Portugal.
A source said of the funds cut: “This is a clear indication that the operation is being scaled back. The McCanns know the police are under budgetary restraints so there is no resentment.
“But they’ll never give up hope Maddie will be found. They’ve fought and fought for answers about what happened to her the night she vanished. As long as the hunt continues they won’t give up hope.”
Operation Grange was set up after then Prime Minister David Cameron asked the Met to “bring their expertise” to the inquiry in 2011. Last month it was feared the search was coming to a close but police were given an extra £85,000 funding in a “last throw of the dice” to trace a new “person of interest”.
An insider said: “Detectives want to speak to one person who was near the area where Madeleine disappeared.
“An international search has been under way to find the individual.” The suspect is thought to be an ex-member of staff at the Algarve resort.
It is understood he gave a witness statement two days after Madeleine went missing.
A Portuguese police source said: “UK officers are convinced this man, who is from Portugal and speaks a bit of English, knows more than he was saying and they are very keen to question him.
“They’re not suggesting he stole Maddie but he may know people who could have been involved after a burglary went wrong.
“The investigation in Britain seems to be grinding to a halt and they want to rule him out of the case, if not rule him in. Then detectives know they’ve done all in their power to solve the case.”
Kate and Gerry, from Rothley, Leics, were said to be “very grateful” for the continued funding amid fears that the investigation would be shelved.