McCanns to stay in Portugal 'to help police'

Missing Madeleine McCann’s parents will stay in Portugal to help police after being named as suspects in their daughter’s disappearance, a family friend said today.

Portuguese detectives made Kate and Gerry McCann “arguidos”, or formal suspects, yesterday while re-interviewing them about what happened to the young girl.

The couple want to return from the Algarve to their home in Rothley, Leicestershire, with their two-year-old twins Sean and Amelie.

But after yesterday’s dramatic developments – and with the threat of being charged over Madeleine’s death hanging over them – they have decided to remain in Portugal.

Earlier, Gerry McCann’s sister Philomena McCann said the couple wished to return to Britain but are worried it may appear that they are “running scared” if they return home to Britain.