Madeleine's kidnapper 'may have been British'

Police investigating the disappearance of three-year-old Madeleine McCann are investigating the possibility of a British abductor, it emerged today.

Madeleine, from Leicester in England, disappeared from the family’s holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Algarve, on Thursday night.

Her parents Gerry and Kate were eating dinner a short distance away and returned on one of their regular checks to discover their daughter was gone.

Police have found evidence that she was abducted but have not disclosed details. Today, newspaper Correio da Manha reported that police suspect a British captor.

Broadcaster RTP also interviewed Barra da Costa, a former inspector in the Judicial Police, PJ, who said that sources within the force believed that Madeleine’s abductor could be from the UK.

He said that contacts in the investigation team had told him that a working description detectives are using suggested someone of English appearance.

Police have not commented but earlier, when asked specifically whether the suspect was British or Portuguese, the PJ refused to specify.

Experts have put together an artist’s impression of a “suspect” but have not publicly revealed details.

It is believed however, that the image shows only the rear view of a man – the back of his head and hair more than the features.

It was also reported today that police are investigating a claim that a man was seen dragging a young girl along towards a marina in the nearby town of Lagos.