Madeleine McCann police officers are said to be closer to solving the 12 year long mystery (Picture: PA)

Police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann during a family holiday in Portugal are said to be getting closer to solving the mystery.

Officers have now narrowed in on a ‘foreign man’ who was in the Algarve when she went missing aged three in 2007.

British and Portuguese police are set to probe a ‘new clue and suspect’ according to local media reports.

The Correio de Manha newspaper said detectives are now ‘nearer to knowing what happened to Madeleine.’


It comes after a mystery tip-off to detectives examining the 12-year-long case.

Officers are said to be looking into an alleged foreign paedophile who was in Portugal in 2007.



Policia Judiciaria were joined by Scotland Yard officers in Porto recently.

It is believed to be the first face-to-face meeting since the new suspect came to light.

It is not clear if the man’s current whereabouts are known.

Madeleine was three when she vanished on holiday in Portugal (Picture: PA)

A source told the Mirror: ‘The British were here recently, there were talks at the PJ office in the city.

‘It’s all very secret but then it always is with the Madeleine McCann case.

‘Only the police know who the suspect is.’

Earlier this month, the Home Office pledged another £300,000 in extra funding for the Met Police investigation into the little girl’s disappearance.

The local investigation was dropped in 2008 but Scotland Yard launched Operation Grange in 2011.

So far police have spent almost £12 million working on the unsolved case.

The authorities are said to have many doubts that Madeleine is still alive.

Kate and Gerry McCann say they take comfort that the police investigation is ongoing (Picture: PA)

The little girl vanished on May 3 2007 from her holiday apartment at Praia da Luz where her parents Kate and Gerry ate with friends nearby.

Scotland Yard spokesman said the investigation was ‘ongoing’ but said they would ‘not provide a running commentary.’

Mr and Mrs McCann have vowed to carry on looking for their eldest daughter ‘for as long as it takes.’

Last month they marked Madeleine’s 16th birthday and spoke of their ‘comfort and reassurance’ that the police hunt continues.

In a posting on the Official Find Maddie Campaign website the couple, from Rothley, Leicestershire, said: ‘The months and years roll by too quickly; Madeleine will be sixteen this month.

‘It’s impossible to put into words just how that makes us feel. There is comfort and reassurance though in knowing that the investigation continues and many people around the world remain vigilant.’

They add: ‘Thank you to everyone who continues to support us and for your ongoing hope and belief. For as long as it takes.’