McCann case police chief quits

The head of the police force investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann has resigned, Portugal’s Ministry of Justice said today.

A spokeswoman confirmed that Alipio Ribeiro had quit.

She said: “Alipio Ribeiro has resigned as director of the Judicial Police.”

She said he would be replaced by Almeida Rodrigues.

Mr Ribeiro has come under fire for his handling of the McCann case in the past and was reported as saying the naming of Gerry and Kate McCann as official suspects may have been hasty.